Ruling out crisis, Somalia ex-Chief Justice welcomes relief of duty

MOGADISHU, Somalia-The former Chief Judge of Somalia’s Supreme Court Aidid Abdullahi Ilkahanaf has agreed to bow out in a controversial decree, ruling out any constitutional crisis due to his sacking from the top judicial post on Saturday, GaroweOnline reports. 

Aidid nevertheless suggested that it was in turn better for him to stay during a media briefing at the heavily fortified palace, Villa Somalia. 

Presidential decree courted controversy on Wednesday after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud replaced long-serving Chief Justice—since 2011-- with Ibrahim Eidle Suleiman, who is said to have defected from breakaway Somaliland.  

Somali parliamentarians reacted, saying the firing should be called into question in line with the Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC). 

“We are in a State of law, and we should accept what the rule of law means. I cannot make something unlawful legitimate.

In the interest of the State and the people, I will not be a reason for a[political] mayhem in the country,” said the aging lawyer who returned to Somalia in 1994 to hold key posts including lawmaker, minister and deputy Prime Minister in successive Somali governments. 

He called for the need to put national interests ahead of personal ones, a few hours after discussing with Mohamud the sacking. Ilkahanaf previously clashed with Somali President on the independence of judiciary in a governance awash with rifts over the constitution. 

With incumbent Mohamud seeking re-election, Somalia is preparing for second polls home later this year.

GAROWEONLINE