GAROWE, Puntland - The lawmakers of Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state parliament have voted the speaker Abdikahim Mohamed Ahmed, out of office following an impeachment motion against him, Garowe Online reports.

Announcing the result of the vote, the deputy house speaker Abdiaziz Abdullahi, said 59 MPs out of 53 present voted for the impeachment motion against Ahmed during today’s session in Garowe city.

The legislators who submitted the motion have blamed the sacked speaker for serious allegations including power abuse and violation of the state's constitution.

The speaker had been in office for just under a year after his election in early January 2019. Officials in the speaker’s office could not immediately be reached for comment on the reason behind the dismissal.

The parliament is expected to pick a new speaker in the coming 14 days, according to Abdullahi, who has today appointed a seven-member committee, all MPs to spearhead the forthcoming election.

The latest shock vote of no confidence comes after Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has formally opened the 45th session of the parliament on 26th October 2019.

GAROWE ONLINE