EU condemns faults Lower House for violating "procedure" over PM ejection

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The European Union [EU] has joined a number of international actors in condemning the ouster of Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, whose removal continues to spark heated political debates across the Horn of Africa nation, which is almost plunging into a pre-election crisis.

MPs voted resoundingly for the removal of Khaire, one of the longest PM who is credited for putting Somalia on the global stage for successfully negotiating debt relief among other development-oriented initiatives. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has since picked Mahdi Mohamed Gulaid on acting capacity.

But the EU, in a statement issued on Sunday, insisted that Somalia is still on a long journey to recovery, to become free from insecurity, debt and voting leaders into power. Until that time, EU said, the leaders of the Somali nation bear a special responsibility to ensure that a consensus is achieved and maintained in national politics.

The EU decried lack of "procedures" during the ouster of Khaire, adding that the motion of no confidence did not meet minimum constitutional requisites. The removal, EU said, would drag ongoing efforts to fix Somalia's security and economy, which have been unstable for over three decades.

"Regrettably, the developments in the House of the People of Somalia on Saturday represent a setback for Somalia and for the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia," EU said in a statement. "The procedures under which a motion of no confidence in the cabinet was passed did not meet minimal constitutional requirements."

Khaire was instrumental in Dhusamareb talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Members States. The two parties had agreed to establish a technical committee that would look into an appropriate voting model before proposing it for review to the leaders on August 15.

And the EU said the removal of the PM would significantly undermine Dhusamareb talks, which the union has been investing on for the sake of creating a conducive political environment in the country. The actions, EU added, were serious disrespect to the constitution and the people of Somalia.

"This vote occurred a day after the conclusion of a much-anticipated meeting between the President and the Federal Member States at which it was agreed that consultations would follow and a further meeting would occur on August 15," the statement read. "These actions entail a serious disrespect for the constitutional foundations of Somalia, on which the European Union has been investing."

The European Union promised to review the events before taking appropriate actions, including punishing those behind the move. EU is one of major development partner of Somalia, a country which has struggled with inter-clan conflicts and Al-Shabaab menace for years.

"The European Union will review carefully how these events have come to pass, who bears responsibility and to what extent they deviate Somalia from the progress it was making and to which it had committed itself to its international partners," it noted.

While chairing the first cabinet meeting on Monday, Gulaid asked the international community to "respect" Somalia's sovereignty, the constitution, and UN Diplomatic Convention, adding that the country should be allowed to execute internal politics without interference.

In a statement on the Twitter account, EU envoy to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga hailed Khaire's contributions to the development and strategic reforms in Somalia, adding that the former PM represented the "future and aspirations" of Somali people.

"The EU in Somalia wants to praise PM Khaire's determination to conduct strategic reforms. On its journey to becoming free of insecurity, free of debt and free to vote leaders into power, PM Khaire represented the future, the modern Somalia citizens and partners all aspire to," he said.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo will appoint a substantive PM in one month's time and there are reports that he could target a member of the opposition for the lucrative seat. Some sources intimate that Farmajo was concerned about Khaire's political moves that the decision to fire him through parliament.

GAROWE ONLINE