London Sunatimes) On 25th March, 2011 the Peoples of the Somali regions of Awdal, Gebiley and Selel declared to be an autonomous entity within Somalia, henceforth to be known as Awdalstate of Somalia.

This declaration's main objective is to empower the peoples of these lands to be self-sufficient in exploiting their wealth and resources for their own development and betterment and for helping rest ofSomalis.

Aftermore than seven months of widespread political awareness campaigns, conferences and consultationsat home and around the World, the Awdalstate Commissions which managed and had the leadership role in running the daily and lon-term strategic goals of Awdalstate, realized and concluded thatthe time has come to set up an Awdalstate Government.

Hence,an Awdalstate Convention was held in London, UK from November 2nd to November 5th, 2011, where hundreds of Awdal state members, supporters, guests and the mediaparticipated. Awdal state delegations came from the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Holland, Sweden and Norway. At thisConvention was chosen a new President who then picked his Vice-President.

The Electoral Commission of Awdal state comprised of five members: one woman and four men tasked with conducting a fair election of the President among the four candidates.

The Presidential Candidates were:

1. Rashid Aw Nur Hersi

2. Hassan Hussein Rirash

3.Dr.Mohamed A.Rirache

4.Abdisamad Nageye

At the start of the electoral process, two presidential candidates voluntarily withdrew their candidacy due to personal ( private ) reasons: Dr. Mohamed Rirache and Abdisamad Nageye, and the Commission accepted their requests.

The Elections which took place at Palmers Green Lodge in London, Great Britain was conducted in a fair, transparent and legal manner according to Awdal state Constitution, with the outcome of one winner. Rashid Aw Nur Hersi won the election by simple majority and became the President of Awdalstate.

By Abdisalan Abdulle