Somali parliament impeaches Prime minister Shirdon

Hassan Sheikh, President of Somalia

Somalia lawmakers voted to endorse a no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, effectively removing him from office. The vote came after weeks of a political tug-of-war battle between the President and Prime Ministers office. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called for the Prime Ministers resignation last month citing incompetency among his cabinet.

184 Mps out of 249 present at the house voted to impeach the Prime minister, who on Sunday insisted to address parliament to defend his government from accusations of ineffectiveness and corruption.

To many, the vote suggests that the fragile power sharing agreement is threatening the stability of the Somalia’s first real government in over two decades. Mr. Shirdon was the country’s sixth prime minister in as many years.

Somali MPs voted Monday to oust the country’s prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon, and his cabinet after 14 months in office. Mr. Shirdon will remain in office until President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud nominates a new prime minister. Associated Press

 “I will accept whatever parliament decides” Prime Minister Shirdon said in a press conference today.

Mr. Shirdon is expected to remain in office until a successor has been named.

Nicholas Kay, the UN special representative to Somalia commended the lawmakers for following the legal and constitutional framework for impeachment.

“This unprecedented piece of parliamentary business was managed in accordance with the provisional constitution and the rules of procedure of the parliament,” Mr. Kay said.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to address the nation in few hours time following the decision of the parliament.