Somalia's security minister fired as wrangles between PM and Farmaajo escalate

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Prime Minister Roble has fired another high-ranking member of the government, a move that has yet again faced equal resistance from outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, further indicating perhaps irreconcilable differences between the two. 

In a statement, Roble fired Internal Security Minister Hassan Hundubey Jimale, who is equally critical during this transition time, further evoking an instant response from Villa Somalia, which has been the headquarters of controversy in recent days. 

The PM appointed  Abdullahi Mohamed Nur as Minister of Internal Security while thanking Hundubey for the services he rendered to Somalia.

The move was the first major cabinet reshuffle engineered by Roble, who is technically the head of government. But in a rejoinder, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo's team has rejected the ouster of Jimale, terming the move "illegal and unconstitutional". "The nomination of the new minister is not in regards to the constitution," read the statement.

The presidency went ahead to accuse Roble of running government "inappropriately" adding that "Jimale will continue discharging his responsibilities".

The Prime Minister is yet to respond to the latest twist in government. Also, the sacked Minister of Security Hassan Hundubey Jimale protested against the statement by prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble stating that the "PM is inciting chaos and unrest". He insisted that he will continue discharging his duties. 

These changes also come hours after PM Roble appointed Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jamah alias Goobe as the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] after the ouster of Fahad Yasin over the controversial death of Ikran Tahlil, a junior employee within the agency. 

But in response, a furious Farmaajo at first rejected the move, only to state later that Yasin had resigned and was subsequently appointed as National Security Advisor.

The president went on to appoint Yasin Abdullahi as the new NISA boss. As of now, Somalia is grappling with two parallel appointments made by the senior-most members of the executive, who are jostling for power in government. The laws of the country are not clear given that Somalia is undergoing a transition. 

GAROWE ONLINE