Somalis living in Nairobi, in neighbouring Kenya, also welcomed the news with celebrations.

Mr Mohamud won with 214 votes in a third round of voting against the incumbent Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who got 110 votes.

He was sworn in shortly after the final results were announced and will serve for the next four years.

Neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia were quick to congratulate the new president. More international reaction is expected during the day.

Mr Mohamud makes a comeback having served as Somalia's eighth president from 2012, before Mr Farmajo defeated him in the 2017 elections.

The returning president inherits a country facing key challenges such as drought, insecurity and the rising cost of living.