Somalia

New PM named despite parliament's rejection

Article published on the 2008-12-16 Latest update 2008-12-17 11:11 TU

People demonstrate in the streets against the naming of Mohamud as Somalia's new PM
(Credit: Reuters)

Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed today named a new Prime Minister despite parliament's rejection of his decision to sack the incumbent, in a move likely to intensify the country's power struggle. Yusuf appointed close ally Mohamoud Mohamed Gouled, a little-known lawmaker who has also served as a minister in the transitional government, to replace Nur Hassan Hussein.

Lawmakers on Monday voted overwhelmingly to back Hussein a day after the president announced he was sacking him,along with the entire cabinet, because they had failed to bring security to the nation.

But the premier challenged the move as unconstitutional and Yusuf's decision may increase infighting within the government.

Residents protested in the streets on the outskirts of Mogadishu on Tuesday to express their support for the ousted Hussein.

The Ethiopian government, which has backed Somalia's transitional government, expressed concern that the Prime Minister's replacement could make matters worse for the region.

"We are definitely following the situation very closely," Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wahide Belay told French news agency AFP.