Somalia's President Mohamed suspends PM Roble amid ongoing political crisis: Report

On Monday, Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed announced that Prime Minister Hussein Roble's powers have been suspended. announcement has also raised suspicions of an "indirect coup" after a long-running rivalry in which both leers have tred accusations over failure to hold parliamentary elections. President chose to suspend Prime Minister and revoke his powers since he has been involved in corruption, said President's office in a statement as per Al Jazeera. President's office also accused Roble of meddling with an investigation into a land grabbing case. 

According to statement, commander of marine forces has also been suspended and is being investigated for corruption. Roble's office responded by calling statement "outrageous," claiming on Twitter that attempt to "militarily take over" Prime Minister's office was illegal. " outrageous statement from immediate former President, Mohamed Abdullahi (Farmajo) regarding work of PM & his failed attempt to militarily take over OPM is a violation of constitution & or laws, consequences of which will be solely shouldered by Farmajo, [sic]," re tweet by official Twitter handle of Prime Minister. 

It said in a separate post that Roble was completely dedicated to carrying out his national responsibility of conducting a credible electoral process that will le to a peaceful transfer of power. According to  Abdirahman Yusuf Omar ala, country's Assistant Information Minister, President's action was an "indirect coup." He went on to say that presence of security troops near Roble's office would not impede him from performing his duties, reported Al Jazeera.

long-delayed elections were meant to be finished by Dec 24

It should be mentioned here that President Mohamed's action came a day after he and Roble tred allegations of stalling ongoing parliamentary elections. long-delayed elections began on November 1 and were meant to be finished by December 24, but according to one newly elected legislator, just 24 of 275 representatives h been elected as of Saturday (Dec. 25). Regional councils are supposed to elect a senate in Somalia's complex indirect voting system. Clan elders are n expected to choose members of lower house, which would subsequently select a new President. Meanwhile, President's recent move reignites a feud that h been laid to rest when he placed Roble in charge of security and of organising country's first direct elections in more than three deces, reported Al Jazeera. 

Image: Twitter/@SomaliPM/AP