Somalia: Lawmakers elect Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as new head of state

Lawmakers in Somalia elected former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new head of state in presidential elections on Sunday.

Mr Mohamud defeated current president, Mohamed Abudallahi Farmajo, in office since 2017.

The ballot was limited to Somalia’s 328 MPs due to security concerns over holding a wider election, and one of them did not cast a vote, the BBC reports.

Mr Mohamud received 214 votes, defeating Mr Farmajo who won 110 votes.

Three MPs are reported to have spoiled their ballots.

Recall that President Mohamud ruled the country from 2012 to 2017.