From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Wed Jun 23 2010 - 18:14:29 EDT
Somalia: New political feud engulfs fragile TFG
Jun 23, 2010 - 10:21:14 AM
A new row has erupted between Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh and
Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharma'arke over formation of a new
government.
The dispute erupted after Premier handed over a new list of cabinet
ministers to President Ahmed, which he rejected.
"The president rejected the PM's list of cabinet ministers including those
from Ahlu Sunnah on the grounds that he dislike of them," said an official
who works in Sharma'arke's office.
Premier Sharma'arke has reportedly said that the some of the appointees,
which Ahmed is rejecting, are capable of serving the country better.
However, attempts by newly elected speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden to
reconcile the two leaders and broker agreement to form the government has
been futile, according sources.
The new government would include members from Ahul Sunnah Wal-Jamaa, a
pro-government militia that recently inked an Ethiopian-brokered
power-sharing agreement with the fragile UN-backed transitional government
in Addis Ababa.
The row between the two Somali leaders started last month after President
Sharif unconstitutional dismissed the Cabinet and prime minister. He however
rescinded the decision later after consulting with constitutional lawyers
and lawmakers.
New reports that emerge suggest that Ahmed is planning to depose Sharma'arke
through any means possible with the support of speaker Sharif.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Salad Ali Jelle, who recently resigned as Deputy
Minister for Defense has accused the government of failing to meet its main
objectives, which was to restore peace and stability in the country.
"The government was formed to do something about the state of affairs in the
country, but so far it did nothing. The previous administration has the
control of many parts of the country but this one is confined in few blocks
of Mogadishu.
He adds, "The Parliament is part of this mess but the blame entirely falls
on Prime Minister and cabinet, who do not care about doing something in the
last one and half years."
The current administration is the 15th product from the international
community in its quest to installed an effective government in Somalia after
years of civil war.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----