MOGADISHU – Somalia’s Prime Minister, Abdiweli Ahmed, on Tuesday told cabinet ministers to resign if they were unhappy, intensifying a dispute which has stemmed efforts to rebuild the country after decades of war.
No fewer than 100 lawmakers loyal to President Hassan Mohamud have put forward a parliamentary motion to sack Abdiweli Ahmed.
Tensions between the two boiled over in October when Ahmed reshuffled the cabinet and sidelined one of Mohamud’s main allies.
However, Western donors who have promised to help rebuild Somalia’s battered institutions fear Mohamud’s push to oust a second PM in less than a year would weaken the government in its fight against Islamist rebels.
Somali media Websites on Monday said that about 14 cabinet ministers had sent a letter to the PM’s office asking for his resignation.
Ahmed said that the letter has not yet been received and dismissed calls for him to step down.
“Cabinet ministers should continue their work for the people and they should be cautious of being used for destroying the law and governance.
“The prime minister is ready to accept the resignation of any minister who wants to resign,’’ the PM said in a statement.
A parliamentary debate on whether to sack Ahmed descended into chaos last week after his supporters blew whistles and shouted out slogans, forcing the speaker to halt the session.
Donors had planned a major conference this week in Copenhagen to showcase Somalia’s political progress and appeal for more funds. (Reuters/NAN)
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