MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s road to recovery resumed on Sunday after new Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble took office on Sunday just a day after parliamentary approval, but the procedure used could raise new constitutional questions given the lack of his predecessor Hassan Khaire.
At his office, Roble pledged to institute specific reforms in the country for the next four months just before the country heads to the election, promising to focus on security, the implementation of polls as well as the violence against women and children, which has been a major concern. for the international community and local actors.
Over the past two years, cases of rape and child abuse have increased dramatically in Somalia, and perpetrators have often gone unpunished due to the lack of a binding law dealing with such cases. In most cases, community elders resolve these cases locally.
But Roble, who officially worked with the International Labor Organization [ILO], said his duty will be to seek an immediate solution to prevent the increase in cases of violence against women. His office, he added, was deliberately involving parliament in passing the necessary laws to make them legally binding.
Shortly after his speech, Roble visited US Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto at the heavily fortified Halane Base Camp where they discussed many issues. Among other things, the two leaders debated the importance of the timely implementation of the pre-electoral agreement, good governance and the pursuit of economic and security reforms in Somalia.
“Delighted to congratulate Mohamed Roble on his confirmation as Prime Minister of Somalia of Somalia. Today we agreed on the importance of the swift implementation of the electoral agreement, good governance and the continuation of the economic and security reform, “the US embassy said.
But Roble’s surrender process sparked constitutional questions. Contrary to the aspirations of the interim constitution, Roble was introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled, who had been acting since July, in place of former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.
Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame called the process “illegal and unconstitutional” in his speech on Sunday. The former prime minister, he said, “is part of the illegal procedure. He knows the procedure and he should have done what is required of him by law.”
Professor Hassan Keynan believes Khaire should hand over his responsibilities to the Somali people, both houses of parliament and regional leaders, and inform the media that he has done so. If that is blocked, he should post it online removing any sensitive information, he notes.
As a presidential candidate, Keynan adds, Hassan Khaire should be clear on several issues including the extradition of Qalbi Dhagah, the overthrow of the former president bJawari, dealing with Ethiopia on four ports, the interference of the ENDF in regional elections, and the reasons why led to his ouster.
Khaire was unceremoniously removed from his post by lawmakers in July shortly after the conclusion of the Dhusamareen II conference to which he was a member. Since then, the former oil business leader has announced a candidacy to challenge President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo early next year when the country goes to the elections.
Parliament has agreed to implement the newly approved electoral agreement which will see the country hold elections this year. The elections will culminate with the presidential elections in February 2021, where MPs will choose the next president of the Horn of Africa nation.
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