Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas’ office released a decree on Wednesday that stated that towns announced as districts by President Sharif earlier this month, were not valid as the president did not follow the protocol.

Cabinet Ministers met on Monday to discuss promotions and the naming of new districts by President Sharif who earlier this month named 5 new districts in southern Somalia. According to the decree, the letter was drafted after the cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Gaas justified his decree by referring to the 1960 statutes and the Somalia constitution.  

However President Sharif who arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday said that the decree would not have any impact because according to President Sharif the Cabinet Ministers are not mandated for approval of districts.

“Cabinet Ministers are not authorized to approve and they have never been authorized,” replied President Sharif speaking to press in Mogadishu.

President Sharif who is campaigning to be reelected later this month said that the office of the prime minister and their decisions have no impact if the prime minister is running for office.

“If the cabinet’s Prime Minister is running for office then the administration’s decisions have no clout,” said President Sharif.

Both President Sharif and Prime Minister Gaas are running for President in the upcoming elections; however the elections have seen delays as selection of members of parliament still haven’t been completed.

President Sharif who was asked about the August 20 deadline for the Presidential elections and the recurrent delays said that the date could be pushed back.

“The August 20 deadline is not set in stone there have been delays; however the process is still continuing,” said President Sharif.

Although the TFG is backed by the UN it has not officially been recognized as a government by the international community, the new federal government would be the first recognized government in over 20 years.

GAROWE ONLINE