The Somali premier rejects the decision to suspend his powers “illegal”

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, nicknamed “Farmago”, withdrew executive powers from Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Robley on Thursday, in a new chapter of tension between the two men, weakening the country, which is facing a political impasse.

For his part, the Somali prime minister announced his “rejection of the illegal and unfounded decision” issued by the president to suspend his executive powers.

“The prime minister violated the transitional constitution, so his executive powers were withdrawn from him ( ), in particularly the power to fire and / or appoint officials until the elections are held, “said the president’s office in a note, accusing Robley of not coordinating with him and of making decisions that are incompatible with the laws and constitution of the country.

Relations between the two men have been tense for several months and between the two there have been two direct clashes in the last ten years against the backdrop of layoffs and appointments to delicate security positions.

disappearance of employees

On September 5, Robley fired the head of the National Security and Intelligence Service, Fahd Yassin, who is close to the president, for investigating the disappearance of an agency employee, Ikram Tahlil. But Farmajo overturned the “illegal and unconstitutional” decision.

After the president was accused of “obstructing” the investigation into Tahlil’s disappearance and considered his decisions a “serious existential threat” to the country, the premier announced last week the dismissal of the security minister and the appointment of the his replacement in a move the president deemed unconstitutional.

Tahlil, 25, an employee of the Information Security Department of the National Security and Intelligence Agency (Nisa), was kidnapped in the capital, Mogadishu, on June 26. Since then, his family hasn’t stopped asking for clarification. After weeks of silence, the intelligence agency said Friday its investigations indicate that Ikram Tahlil was handed over to al-Shabab extremists who executed her. But the group denied.

lullaby honor

lullaby honor

Serious constitutional crisis

Somali political officials have entered in line to contain the tension between the two men, but to no avail.

Farmajo, who has held the presidency since 2017, ended his term on February 8 without being able to agree with the regional leaders to organize the elections, which caused a serious constitutional crisis.

The announcement of an extension of his term in mid-April for two years led to clashes in Mogadishu that revived memories of decades of civil war in the country after 1991.

Furthermore, Robley, appointed in September 2020, has become the focus of political efforts since Farmajo tasked him with organizing elections last May, the postponement of which led to armed clashes in Mogadishu.

Somali President Mohamed Farmajo

Somali President Mohamed Farmajo

playing with fire

For its part, the International Crisis Group has put in guard the Somali parts in a report released this week against “playing with fire”, urging “all parties to contain the escalation”.

“International partners should publicly name the obstructionists, threaten them with sanctions if they do not change their approach, and prepare measures to target those they continue to destabilize,” the report continues.

The group also stressed “the need for both sides to take a step back”. “Instead of constantly looking for controversial issues, they should focus on organizing the long-awaited elections,” he added.

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