MOGADISHU: Somalia’s prime minister told cabinet ministers yesterday to resign if they are unhappy, intensifying a dispute which has stymied efforts to rebuild the country after decades of war.
More than 100 lawmakers loyal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have put forward a parliamentary motion to sack Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. Tensions between the two boiled over last month when Ahmed reshuffled the cabinet and sidelined a Mohamud ally.
Western donors fear Mohamud’s push to oust a second prime minister in less than a year will weaken the government in its fight against Islamist rebels.
Somali media websites yesterday said about 14 cabinet ministers have sent a letter to the prime minister’s office asking for his resignation.
Ahmed said 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 said in a statement.
“The prime minister is ready to accept the resignation of any minister who wants to resign,” the statement added.REUTERS
