President Farmajo suspends the powers of the Prime Minister of Somalia (Read Statement)

A recent decree from the office of the outgoing President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, has suspended the powers of Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said in a statement that Prime Minister Roble had taken unconstitutional steps and accused the prime minister of deviating from his mandate.

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s decree states that the powers of the Prime Minister and all correspondence, especially dismissals or appointments, have been suspended pending the completion of the country’s elections, which are the responsibility of the appointed Independent Commissions.

Read below a statement issued by Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in English to our best understanding:

Press release

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo;

Having seen the actions contrary to the Provisional Constitution taken by the Prime Minister HE Mohamed Hussein Roble as stated in Article 87, Letters (b) and (c) and Article 90, Letters (b), (c) and (e);

Having deviated from the mandate of the Government to work on elections and electoral security as set out in the speech of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo in the House of the People on 1 May 2021, and the House considered the proposal;

Seeing that the Prime Minister is taking unconsidered steps that could lead to political and security crisis in the country;

Seeing that the Prime Minister is making an attempt to infringe on the rights and salaries of the Armed Forces as well as the misuse of power by certain institutions;

Recognizing that the Prime Minister was not in consultation with the President, and proceeded to issue single decisions that were inconsistent with the laws and the Constitution of the country resulting in incompetence;

As the President of the Nation, the Guardian and promoter of the fundamental principles of the Constitution;

The President enacted the following;

1. As the Prime Minister has violated the Provisional Constitution, the powers of the Prime Minister and all correspondence, especially dismissals or appointments, have been suspended pending the completion of the country’s elections to the appointed Independent Commissions.

2. During this period, the various organs of the state shall continue to serve the people as necessary for the functioning of the government, in accordance with Article 102 of the Provisional Constitution which clearly states that each Minister shall be responsible, and shall not be subject to dismissal or appointment until the completion of the elections in the country.

3. Having (seen) completion of the formation of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEIT) and State-level Electoral Commission (SEIT), Dispute Resolution, and fully agreements on procedures, budgets, electoral security plans and all matters relating to the conduct of elections in accordance with the September 17, 2020 agreement and procedures for resolving concerns raised on 27 May 2021, and held elections for both Houses.

Therefore, all relevant electoral bodies are encouraged to expedite in accordance with the published Electoral Calendar.

END

Read More: Prime Minister Roble rejects Farmaajo’s decree; calls it “unconstitutional