Outgoing President Dahir Riyale Kahin had promised to accept defeat.

He obtained 33% of the vote, compared to 50% for Mr Silanyo.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 but its independence has not been recognised internationally.

It has been far more stable than southern Somalia.

Observers have praised the conduct of the poll and election chief Essa Yusuf Mohammed said he hoped this would help the country's bid for recognition.
BBC

The election commission said Mr Diallo took 39.72% of the vote, well ahead of the veteran opposition leader, Alpha Conde, who got 20.67%.

This is the first democratic election in the mineral-rich West African state since it gained independence from France in 1958.

It has been governed by a military junta for the past 18 months since the death of its longtime leader, Gen Lansana Conte, in 2008.
Court challenge

Alpha Conde's party has said it will challenge some poll results in the courts.

Candidates have until 8 July to contest the results in the Supreme Court, which must then make its ruling within three days.

In all, 24 candidates contested the first round of the elections. Voter turnout was 77%, said the election commission.

The second round is scheduled to take place on 18 July, but may be delayed until later in the month or early August for logistical reasons.

Mr Diallo served several terms as prime minister under Gen Conte, who came to power during a military coup in 1984.

Nine months ago, Mr Diallo was badly injured when the military opened fire on demonstrators opposed to the junta.

Guinea is the world's largest exporter of the aluminium ore bauxite. It also has important deposits of iron ore.

Despite its mineral wealth, the country is one of the poorest in West Africa.

BBC

Prosecutors said the accused were from Tanzania, Somalia and Mozambique, AP news agency reports.

The case has been postponed until next month so their legal status in the country can be confirmed.

Lt Gen Nyamwasa, who was shot in the stomach earlier this month in Johannesburg, is said to be recovering.

Rwanda has denied accusations it tried to assassinate Lt Gen Nyamwasa, a former ally of Rwandan President Paul Kagame who fled to South Africa earlier this year.

According to the South Africa Press Association, it was established in court that the defendants had previous convictions related to possession of stolen goods.

Read more...

Under the new legislation, the Kenyan prime minister will take home over a third more than his British counterpart.

He will also earn almost 10% more than the US president. The vote has provoked anger from the general public and the media, correspondents say.

The parliamentarians have voted to be paid a basic $44,000 (£29,000) a year.

But extra allowances can bring the salary up to up to $126,000 (£84,000) after tax - a rise of 18%.

The allowances include $370 (£250) a day for turning up in parliament.

Average annual income in Kenya is about $730 (£490), while most of the population earns less than $1 (66p) a day.

If approved, the legislation would take effect during the next parliament, expected in two years' time.

BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste said the MPs' debate on their salaries was extraordinarily quick.

The Daily Nation newspaper reported that one MP described the pay-increase as "a move towards restoring honour to the profession of politics".

One politician was quoted as saying that the amount of money paid to MPs could not compensate "for the heavy responsibility they shoulder in the economic, political and social development of the country".

Read more...