Somalia’s regional leaders urge end to power struggle

Row over the government escalated when President Mohamed suspended the executive powers of PM Roble.

Somalia’s regional leaders have appealed to the president and the prime minister to end their damaging feud, warning of the risk of political instability in the Horn of Africa nation.

The row sharply escalated on Thursday when President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who is popularly known as Farmaajo, suspended the executive powers of Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble – a move swiftly rejected by the premier as “unlawful”.

The two men have been at odds over top security appointments in a dispute that threatens to imperil repeatedly delayed elections and distract from efforts to confront a long-running rebellion.