President and PM in sharp disagreements

[BigBreak]

Government sources in Mogadishu have said that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon have had a fall out after President Hassan returned from his foreign trips, Garowe Online reports.

The inside source says that the leaders had heated arguments on a number of issues that have not yet been confirmed yet.

However, the source says some of the related to a number of sensitive issues that the government is handling.

Interference of duties

“As you may be aware, it is well known that the President [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud] has been interfering in the work of the Prime Minister’s office since the selection of Cabinet ministers in October [2012], which he had a very strong influence in,” said the source.

The small Cabinet of 10 ministers was appointed in October along with 25 deputy ministers and state ministers. The previous government had a Cabinet consisting of 18 ministers based on 4.5 clan power sharing system, which ensured clan representation.

However, President Hassan’s administration took a new approach and many ministries were joined together.

President Hassan’s government stated that the move was done to improve effectiveness of the ministries. However, the confidential source told Garowe Online that some ministers have complained about “continuous interference by the president’s inner circle”.

“Some ministers have even threatened to resign as they feel that they have no real authority of their ministry,” said the source, adding: “That the issue of interference from the presidential palace has been brought to the table many times.”

Although the source could not name which ministers threatened to resign, the source did note that the rift between President Hassan and Prime Minister Shirdon is widening.

Aid and development

Back from recent trips to the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium and the Middle East, the international community reassured President Hassan that Somalia would receive a new focused aid and development approach.

The EU has promised to host a Somali conference in fall, which will work out a “new deal” for Somalia. The Middle East has also suggested a more effective aid and development initiative in Somalia.

The source suggests that the unprecedented pledge by the international community and how it would be managed could also be the cause of the rift.

“The two had a fall out after President Hassan returned from his trips abroad and some are saying that the funding from the international community especially Qatar and how it would be managed is part of what caused the rift,” said the source.

According to Abdirahman Abdi a Somali government consultant, the Middle East approach to financial assistance with regards to Africa is not as accountable as international standards.

“There’s less paperwork with Middle Eastern funding compared to funding from UN agencies or Western powers’ donations,” said Mr. Abdi.

Since the creation of Somalia’s first permanent government in 22 years, the Somali Federal Government has seen an increase in aid pledges. Previous governments were reportedly riddled with corruption and the new democratically elected government has promised to clear the blemish of previous Somali governments.

Federated States

The rift comes at a time when regions in Somalia are preparing to form federated states with the international support. Regions, such as Lower Jubba, Middle Jubba and Gedo regions, are aspiring to form ‘Jubaland State’ and a state convention is expected to open later this month in Kismayo

Somali political groups in Jubaland regions and the Intergovernmental Authority have backed the process on Development (IGAD), despite complaints from officials in Mogadishu about the IGAD involvement. In 2002-2004, IGAD hosted the Somali peace conference in Kenya that gave birth to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, which preceded the current Somali Federal Government.

Some political groups have alleged that the Federal Government is against the formation of Jubaland; however Prime Minister Shirdon has gone on the record supporting the Jubaland state process. During visits to Minnesota, USA, and London, UK, Somali protestors demanded that President Hassan stop his interference of Jubaland state formation.

The confidential source says that he believes that President Hassan and Prime Minister Shirdon disagree over Jubaland, as the Prime Minister has “refused” to speak negatively of the local process for Jubaland state formation.

In Bay region, a new governor was nominated by Abdifatah Ibrahim Geesey, the former governor, has rejected the new nomination and is currently in Baidoa commanding hundreds of troops. The new governor is nowhere to be seen and Mogadishu’s influence in Baidoa, only 250km away, seems nonexistent, the source added.

Somali Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari, who hails from Bay region, is currently visiting Ethiopia and it is believed that issues on the table include support for Mr. Geesey as governor of Bay region. Baidoa is hosting a conference to establish a new state for Bay and Bakool regions.

The move to appoint a new governor at this critical time has been interpreted by some local residents in Bay and Bakool regions as a bid to influence the outcome of a state formation process for the area.

Somali political analysts tell Garowe Online that the fall out between the two Somali leaders could impact the pledged support by the international community towards helping rebuild Somalia.

TFG leaders were notorious for political infighting, with Presidents attempting to unseat Prime Ministers via a parliamentary vote of confidence on numerous occasions.

Source - GaroweOnline

[AhlulbaytSoldier]

Wishful thinking, The punanis hate it to see the great teamwork of Hassan, Shirdoon and Fowziyo

[AbdiWahab252]

@ Garowe Online.

[Substance]

Shameless fabrications.

[FarhanYare]

lmao@garowe online being the reliable source

[Nomand]

there is nothing wrong with a bit of a healthy disagreement between the PM and president as long as its benefits the country. but i don't think it will be like the TFG infighting

[1moonlight]

reer puntland are always trying to create a problem between the two top leaders but they will fail.

Somalia is back Muqdisho is our capital city insha allaah soon maamulka mooryaanta garoowe ciidaanka Amison iyo kuwa doowlada ayaa laga adeeyjinaa hadeeysan qaska eey Somalia ka dhex wadaan eeysan joojin.

[sahal80]

yeah there are khilaafaat but are totally different then what this website says.
its two problems.
1-khilaaf on the UK and USs proposal to give the north the pm position.
2-khilaaf on the funds
As for the wests somalilander pm proposal maybe the president is using that card to get more authority. the pm believes the presidents purpose of all this made up khilaaf is based on irirism and that his subclan told him to stick to his position wich he got it by xoog iyo xoolo Dblock.
during his absence in europe a big money was taken out of the bank in the pm and finance ministers signature. The president demanded the pm to return the money. The pm said here are the calculations i have been to marko and baladweyne i have partaked alot of events that will cost me my security.....
In agreement, The pm can only take 20,000 for himself and then he has to come out with the calculations but the money is nearly a million
Im not talking about who is right but damjadiid has a point since the governments income is based on the monthly 1 million dollar from qatar and the 800,000 dollar from the port.

[The`Republic]

There goes Sahal again. Sxb you hang out with too kuch reer baadiyeyaal at the fadhi ku dirir.

[Xiis1928]

Hassan Sheekh and Sacad Shirdon are BFF. Don't believe the BS coming from Marjeertenia.

[Tanker]

The Republic maybe you are the one who is blinded by tribalism and view this wortless government as great

[Xiis1928]

Sahal, don't believe in everything you read about Somali politics.

[Nomand]

The Republic maybe you are the one who is blinded by tribalism and view this wortless government as great

what happened, couple of weeks ago you were pro somali goverment what has changed?

[Tanker]

You must be talking about another person I have never supported this wortless government I can promise you they will fail. I want them to succed but I am honest.

[sahal80]

There goes Sahal again. Sxb you hang out with too kuch reer baadiyeyaal at the fadhi ku dirir.

Lol im free minded progressive person and dont go to qabyaalad majlis. I made alot of breaking news in this site and wasnt fadhikudirir.
The UK and US proposal is part in the coming negotiations let us wait may.
I dont have a proof of these accusations againist the pm but the khilaaf on the funds is true and the bank governor had revealed it weeks ago how he is confused between two orders. the pm believes he is the excutive and the finance minister is the only person should evry thing carry signature.