by Aden Hire
Sunday, August 02, 2020
Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre
Let me begin by saying that “The thrill of Nabad iyo Nolol is gone". Some, including myself, believe there was no thrill to begin with. I truly have some reservations about the sudden but organized removal of former Prime Minister Kheyre from office. The process was unprecedented. Article 54 of The National Assembly’s Procedural Law stipulates how a vote of no confidence shall proceed, which gives The Prime Minister and his allies a chance to defend the case. This has never been appropriately followed. Constitutionally, The Federal Parliament has the legal authority to remove the Prime Minister from office. In Somalia, you interpret laws to your benefit or create your acts illegally to destroy or defeat your opponents.
Is the internal fighting real or a sideshow? Was the removal orchestrated and discussed before? Why Kheyre who appeared to be the most powerful Prime Minister in Somalia's contemporary politics was not able to get at least ten of his ministers to defend him in the National Assembly? There are about 47 ministers in the National Assembly, only one of them stood up for Kheyre. One factor is the belief of Members of The National Assembly to get a two-year extension which is a disastrous move and not possible legally. In my view, a technical extension is likely even though I oppose any extension at all. Another factor is the political animosity between the National Assembly and regional leaders.
Sources say that Kheyre and Farmaajo discussed arranged resignation a few months ago so N&N can restart a new engine of hope, but this was either not successful or the discussion was still ongoing until Kheyre visited Qatar. Another source from Dhusamareb say Kheyre was told while in the town that there is going to be a vote of no confidence in Mogadishu, but he did not show any concern or urgency to act, but rather he was smiling.
At least there were disagreements and some mistrust between Farmaajo and Kheyre while they managed to entertain their political bases. The most visible collision was the political ambition of Kheyre to run for the next election. A lot of analysts believe Kheyre was on the one hand collaborating with his boss and at the same time working tirelessly to become the next President. Kheyre's visit to Qatar may have triggered a change of course as he was working to getting a large amount of money from oil companies as a signing bonus for Somalia’s oil blocks. Strategists close to the President Farmaajo thought if Kheyre manages to get the money, it would be used for political campaign by Kheyre as The Central Bank Governor who was part of Kheyre’s delegation to Qatar is a very close friend and former business partner of Kheyre. Another source of political money for Kheyre could have come from The City of Mogadishu as he managed to replace Director of Revenue at the city a few months ago to his political ally. Dhusamareb meeting unfolded the intentions of Farmaajo and Kheyre to the broader audience.