By Mohamed Sheikh Nor
Thursday, August 13, 2015
More than 90 lawmakers in Somalia lodged a vote of no confidence in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, accusing him of violating the constitution, two members of parliament said.
A motion has been lodged with the office of the parliamentary speaker and needs a Supreme Court ruling on its legality before it can be discussed in the assembly, Abdiweli Mohamed Qanyare, a lawmaker, said by phone.
Abdullahi Godah Barre, another member of parliament, told local broadcaster Radio Goobjoog that lawmakers accuse Mohamoud of corruption and undermining efforts to build a strong army. The president, who hasn’t responded to these specific claims, has previously denied corruption allegations.
A new feud could risk undermining efforts to rebuild the Horn of Africa nation’s institutions after a quarter-century of civil war. The government is using recent military advances against Islamist militant group al-Shabaab to try to attract investors to help rebuild Somalia’s economy.
In December, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed was removed from office by a no-confidence vote after a dispute with Mohamoud over cabinet appointments.
