The African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Monday commended Somalia for finally holding its long-delayed Presidential election.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emerged winner of the hours-long vote after beating incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi 'Farmaajo' in the third round.

Following that exercise, Faki in a statement termed the election "historic".

He congratulated Mohamud for his victory and also acknowledged Farmaajo for "demonstrating strong leadership and statesmanship through his gracious acceptance of the election outcome."

"The Chairperson specially commends all the people of Somalia including the Members of Parliament for their high display of patriotism through the orderly conduct of the elections, while recognizing the crucial role played by the Somali Security Forces and AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to guarantee security for the entire election process," Faki's statement read in part.