Somali president cuts PM’s power as rift widens

Farmaajo said he has suspended the PM's power to hire and fire officials.

by The Star

News16 September 2021 - 18:38

In Summary

• The move comes a week after the PM suspended the country's intelligence chief.

• Correspondents say the divisions between Somalia's top leaders threaten to derail plans for forthcoming indirect elections.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's mandate expired in February but no new elections have been held

Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known by his nickname Farmajo, says he has suspended the prime minister's power to hire and fire officials, escalating a growing rift sparked by the disappearance of a security agent.

The move comes a week after Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble suspended the country's intelligence chief, accusing him of failing to investigate what happened to the agent, Ikran Tahlil Farah.

Correspondents say the divisions between Somalia's top leaders threaten to derail plans for forthcoming indirect elections.