Somalia
Somalia MP: 'Nur Adde government collapsed on 22 November'
By
Nov 28, 2008 - 11:58:58 PM

GAROWE, Somalia Nov 28 (Garowe Online) - An outspoken Somali lawmaker has strongly criticized interim Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein, saying the Prime Minister's term in office expired on 22 November.

MP Asha Ahmed Abdalla, from Sanaag region, told a Friday press conference in the Puntland capital of Garowe that the Somali parliament welcomes the peace process.

"As the Parliament, we welcome peace and reconciliation. But the government's agreements must be ratified by parliament," MP Abdalla said, while calling for a parliament session to discuss the matter.

MP Asha Abdalla/GO

She rejected the power-sharing agreement signed between Prime Minister Nur Adde and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, an Islamist chief who leads an opposition faction dominated by Islamist exiles. READ: 'Unity Government' to elect new President, Speaker of Parliament

"If this group [Sheikh Sharif faction] receives an additional 275 parliament seats, because they are present in Jowhar and Beletwein, then Puntland and Somaliland must each receive 275 seats," MP Abdalla declared.

MP Abdalla is currently in Puntland as part of a delegation led by interim President Abdullahi Yusuf, who is locked in a bitter power struggle with Prime Minister Nur Adde.

She criticized the Ethiopian government's decision to withdraw from Somalia, saying: "Ethiopia has reached its objectives by dividing and arming Somali factions. But if Ethiopia is working for the interests of Somalia, [then] Ethiopian troops must stay until UN peacekeepers arrive."

While calling on al Shabaab militants to join the peace process, MP Abdalla remained openly critical of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional bloc with seven member-states.

"IGAD was established as a development initiative, but now IGAD is involved in politics and dividing up the Somali people," MP Abdalla said, adding: "IGAD convened a meeting in October to destroy the Somali government."

When the alleged plans failed, IGAD "began to weaken the Somali parliament by keeping lawmakers in Nairobi and kicking others out of hotels," she added.

The dispute between Yusuf and Nur Adde begun when Prime Minister Nur Adde "failed on a promise to present to parliament the annual budget within three months," according to MP Abdalla.

The political crisis worsened when Prime Minister Nur Adde appointed a new Cabinet, she added.

"The Prime Minister's term in office ended on 22 November," MP Abdalla said, while urging President Yusuf to name a "new Prime Minister."

Source: Garowe Online