Somalia: PM removes Presidential aide from key post, exposing infighting
Oct 25, 2014 - 17:00:57 PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 25, 2014 (Garowe Online)- Federal Government of
Somalia's Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed has promoted former
Minister of Livestock and Animal Husbandry at the expense of presidential
aide, exposing a new political infighting on Saturday, Garowe Online
reports.
Prime Minister Mohamed-who rebuffed to listen to calls for cabinet reshuffle
postponement by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud overnight on Friday-has
replaced Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir- President Hassan's right hand man and the
then minister of Justice and Constitution- with Salim Aliyow Ibrow, Minister
of Information Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow told reporters in Mogadishu.
Though the cabinet reshuffle affected several other ministries, the
epicenter of the political infighting between the two men appears to be
exposing with visible momentum.
Mahad Mohamed Salad, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who
criticized Prime Minister for diving the country along tribal lines after
12-point agreement struck by Mogadishu-based central Government and Puntland
also appeared in the decree as Deputy Minister of National Planning and
International Cooperation.
Presidency sources confirmed to GO that Mohamud was at odds with the Prime
minister, asking him to abandon Abdulkadir.
As deeply embedded political division continuous to pose challenges to
efforts of fending terror threats off, largely in southern and central
Somalia President Hassan is likely to face another stumbling block in his
push for exerting influence over the Prime Minister.
In late 2013, Mohamed's predecessor, Abdi Farah Shirdon was ousted in
parliamentary no-confidence vote.
On 22nd of February , Al Shabaab gunmen in military fatigues launched a
deadly assault on the the presidential compound in Mogadishu ,and killed
senior government officials.
Large scale theft of government funds dealt blow to the ties between
President Mohamud ,and donors as Mohamud's administration could hardly wean
off International help.
Political infighting within the more permanent government since state
collapse in 1991, complex clan politics and clan loyalties have far and away
led to risky quandaries.
Received on Sat Oct 25 2014 - 18:43:02 EDT