Italian prosecutors investigate tussles within Somalia's embassy in Rome

ROME, Italy - The prolonged dispute involving Somalia's senior envoys in Rome is now under active investigations by Italian prosecutors, who want to unravel the unending wrangles within the mission which has significantly affected service delivery.

The fallout was triggered by the appointment of Ahmed Abdirahman Sheikh Nur as the embassy's Charges d'Affaires by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month. However, authorities in Somalia did not disclose the fate of Mohamed Abdirahman Sheik Issa, who has been serving as an ambassador.

In his argument, Sheik Issa said the ministry went against appointment protocols since Charges d'Affaires ought to have been appointed from within the staff. He had been in charge of the mission for the last four years.

A letter emanating from Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that Mohamed Abdirahman Sheik Issa had been "recalled for internal consultation" and that his tenure ended on March 28.

Further, the controversy is motivated by the fact that Ahmed Abdirahman Sheikh Nur's appointment came at a time when Somalia was yet to hold Lower House elections. The MPs are in charge of vetting the heads of missions.

And Italian authorities claim that Sheikh Nur -accompanied by a locksmith - gained entry into the embassy in the middle of the night and barricaded himself. He also went ahead and changed the door locks, making it impossible for the staff to access the premises.

A furious Issa, who had reported for work, failed to access the office, forcing him to report the matter to the police. The envoy told the investigators that he was "physically prevented from exercising the duties, which are still in progress."

Reports by Italian media claim Abdirahman Sheikh Nur is a first cousin to outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. Nur previously worked in Lusaka, Zambia in the same capacity, and is described as a confidant of the president.

Today, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement insisting that the changes were legitimate, arguing that Isse does not have diplomatic duties or roles, terming him as a "Somali national living in Italy". The ministry also ordered him to return home and face investigations over alleged abuse of office.

Southern Somalia was once colonized by Italians before getting independence in 1960 and in recent months, the country has even allowed programs on national radio in the Italian language. Northern Somalia [Somaliland], was colonized by Britons.

GAROWE ONLINE