The leaders of Somalia's crisis-ridden interim government say they have resolved their differences and agreed to dissolve the cabinet. Some 40 ministers have quit the cabinet over the prime minister's opposition to peace talks with the Islamist militias who control the capital, Mogadishu. The crisis had caused a rift between President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi. Mr Ghedi's government controls little more than Baidoa, where it is based.
"The bloated cabinet of Ali Mohamed Ghedi's government did not do anything during its tenure," President Yusuf announced in parliament. "From today onwards, the government has been dissolved - only the prime minister will remain." Mr Ghedi was present during the announcement, which reportedly follows the intervention of Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin as mediator between the two factions in the Somali government. "How about this, Ali. We'll toss out all those bothersome ministers and leave you in power. That work for you?"
"Ok" |
Ethiopia is the main regional puppetmaster ally of the interim government.
The interim cabinet originally had over 100 members, not all of whom had been approved by parliament. In the past 10 days a succession of ministers left the government, and Mr Ghedi narrowly survived a parliamentary vote of no confidence on Saturday. Mr Ghedi's opponents within the government and parliament believe he should have done more to seek a settlement with the Union of Islamic Courts, whose militia have taken control of Mogadishu in recent months. |