Voters in Somaliland head to the polls on Wednesday to choose a president at a time when the breakaway Somali region sees international recognition within reach after three decades of de facto self-rule.

Voting is underway in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland in a key presidential election that was delayed for two years and comes as the Horn of Africa region is experiencing political tension

Voters in Somaliland went to the polls on Wednesday amid the growing possibility of the region being recognized as an independent state.

Voters in Somaliland went to the polls for the fourth presidential election since 1991 amid heightened tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over a controversial maritime deal