Rift between Somali president, prime minister, further threatens fight against Islamist rebels

Published November 17, 2014

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The prime minister of Somalia is publicly disputing the president's right to dissolve the U.N.-backed government, further deepening the political turmoil that prevents the administration from effectively fighting al-Qaida linked Islamist insurgents.

Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke insisted he is still the prime minister at a press conference Tuesday despite President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed's announcement a day earlier that he was dissolving the Cabinet.

The Somali constitution says the president may appoint the prime minister but cannot fire him without parliament's approval.

Somalia has been a wracked by civil war for nearly 20 years. The current administration is the 15th attempt to build a government in 19 years.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/rift-between-somali-president-prime-minister-further-threatens-fight-against-islamist-rebels