MOGADISHU, Somalia Dec.2, 2013 (Garowe Online)-Federal Members of parliament Monday ousted Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon in an overwhelming vote, Garowe Online reports.| That happens occasionally in civilized countries. Then again, citizens in civilized countries don't then pick up weapons and hack at each other... |
"249 MPs gave their votes, 184 Members of Parliament voted for the no-confidence motion while 65 MPs endorsed the cabinet and no body abstained on vote," said Jawari noting that Prime Minister Shirdon and his government will continue with their work until a new leader is appointed for the cabinet.
Shortly before being voted against the brittle government, speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu Shirdon angrily pointed accusing fingers at members in his government saying the motion is organized.
"I am not ready to foment violence but I will accept the national assembly decision. My achievements will go down in history," he noted.
On Sunday, 140 Legislators voted against a demand from the Prime Minister when Parliament Speaker Jawari asked the MPs to vote for the appearance of Shirdon before parliament in a bid to address the national assembly about the government achievements.
The MPs had been debating the impeachment motion that led to the ouster of Shirdon for two days after several adjournments.
Similar political infightings have disrupted previous government's agendas plunging the country deeper into crisis and rows mainly on the federal charter erupt between the top leaders.
United Nations Special Representative of the secretary General for Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay said in statement from his office "It was important this unprecedented piece of parliamentary business was managed in accordance with the provisional constitution and the rules of procedure of the Parliament".
According to the statement Kay commended Shirdon's role in pushing the war-ravaged nation into development phase "outgoing Prime Minister Shirdon had worked hard to promote growth and progress and played an important part in creating the New Deal Compact between international partners and Somalia".
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed the parliamentary vote as a step forward for strengthening the democracy while he was addressing the media members at Villa Somalia Presidential compound.
Shirdon stayed in power for just over a year and boasts of impressive budget growth, liberation of a string of strategic towns in southern Somalia from Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militants and social services development.