Somalia: Puntland Parliament Speaker removed, what happens next?

GAROWE, Somalia, October 30, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Puntland Members of Parliament convened for their 36^th session on October 25, 2015, followed by the no confidence motion in Speaker Saed Hassan Shire who resigned on Wednesday morning before lawmakers held vote.

By Tuesday evening on October 27, 2015, more than 40 MPs filed the motion to oust Shire on the grounds of violations and lack of political neutrality, amongst others. Early in the morning, security forces were spotted in front of parliament house, prompting for Shire to call the motion ‘politically motivated and shrewd coup’.

Garowe Online sought to learn of the real motives behind the removal of Speaker Shire, former cabinet member who had been in office for just over a year and a half. Three caucuses are believed to have engineered how rein slipped from hands of Shire in rare chaotic atmosphere in relatively stable Puntland for the first time in 17 years.

1. Puntland President supporters in parliament
2. Opposition lawmakers
3. Pro-Puntland Vice President MPs

Camp linked to the presidency and MPs loyal to Vice President Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar have initiated the fateful move to garner the support of opposition lawmakers for the motion. First and Second Deputy Speakers of parliament-Abdihamid Sheikh Abdisalan and Hussein Yasin Haji Dirie- have hobbled the speaker, with the two being obsessed by his bolstering helm on critical matters.

More power

Speaker Shire had since been facing a firestorm of criticism over his keenness in amassing extra powers, and there have been growing complaints in parliament since he won closely fought parliamentary election in January, 2014.

Former Speaker pressured Puntland President to give him much sway at the expense of the vice president-something that had belatedly drawn rebuke, and stiff opposition from MPs hailing from the same clan as Puntland Vice President.

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has enjoyed support of Shire to deflect increasingly pointed failures in ailing economy, federal politics and leadership. Embattled Shire siphoned substantial amounts, drying up presidency and getting mired deeply into indecent deals.

Latest political bargains between Puntland Presidency and Shire were painstaking after the latter grew gluttonous in his demands to cover up note-printing plant in Bossaso and political frustration over Puntland President’s failures.

Shire was seen coming to the defense of Ali while he was engaging in question-and-answer session in parliament last Monday.

In private meeting with President Ali on October 26, 2015, Shire raised a question regarding widely speculated motion against him, forcing Puntland President to abate doubts with the pledge of possible portfolio in the cabinet.

MPs aligned with Puntland Vice President, Abdihakin Abdullahi Haji Omar felt alienated due to the increasing roles of Parliament speaker in critical issues amidst reports of strained ties stemming merely from the absence of constitutional influence of Omar.  

On Plan B, stakes are very much high in the divided chamber of parliament, where Ali wants that functionary speaker be picked, opposition seeks a strong and impartial successor to bring Ali to account and Vice President is eyeing impaired speaker.

GAROWE ONLINE