Mohamed Hersi Ahmed (Maxamed Xirsi Axmed)

Who is he?

Mohamed Hersi Ahmed is a Swedish-Somaliland politician (Wikipedia, Mohamed Hersi Ahmed). He has been Mayor of Burao, the main city of Togdheer, since 16 December 2023 (same source). He is a member of the Waddani party (same source).

Election as mayor

The Burao local council has 13 members (BBC Somali, 16 December 2023). It had been divided for some time over the mayor's post (same source). On 16 December 2023 it elected him by 7 votes to 6 (same source). Suldan Jama Nuh was elected deputy mayor (CBA TV). The vote followed the council's removal of the previous mayor, Abdirisaq Ibrahim Abdi (Voice of America Somali). The Togdheer governor, Mohamed Abdullahi Nafaqo, and the regional police commander attended the session (BBC Somali).

Background

He became a member of the Burao council after the 2021 Somaliland local elections (Wikipedia). He had lived in Sweden for a time before returning home (same source). Wikipedia, citing BBC Somali, describes him as quiet and religious, and estimates his age in his early fifties (same source).

The day of the vote

BBC Somali reported that he fell from his chair in the council hall soon after his acceptance speech (BBC Somali, 16 December 2023). He was taken to a clinic and then home to rest, and witnesses told the BBC no illness was found (same source). The deputy mayor said he was tired after a hard campaign (same source).

In short

Mayor of Burao since December 2023, elected by the council 7 to 6. See Mayors of Burao.