Somalia: PM removes Presidential aide from key post, exposing infighting

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. 

GAROWEONLINE