Monday July 27, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The removal of Prime Minister Hassan Khaire was a violation of the constitution and eroded the EU’s confidence in Somalia, the 27-member bloc has said echoing similar sentiments by the United States.
The EU vice president Joseph Borrel criticized the manner in which Khaire was removed noting the change of government in Mogadishu would derail progress made thus far including agreements by the Federal Government and Federal Member State leaders in Dhusamareb.
“Regrettably, the developments in the House of the People of Somalia on Saturday represent a setback for Somalia and for the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia,” Borrel said in a statement.
“The procedures under which a motion of no confidence in the cabinet was passed did not meet minimal constitutional requirements.”
The EU added it ‘will review carefully how these events have come to pass, who bears responsibility and to what extent they deviate Somalia from the progress it was making and to which it had committed itself to its international partners’.The United States warned Saturday it would ‘take measures against spoilers’ adding the PM’s removal was un-procedural and unconstitutional.
The Lower House voted Saturday in 170-8 in favour of a motion to remove Khaire who came to office in March 2017. The immediate former PM similarly termed his removal unconstitutional but said had accepted to step down for the ‘good of the country.’
EU ambassador to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga praised Khaire noting his represented ‘Somalia’s future’.
“The EU in Somalia wants to praise PM Khaire's determination to conduct strategic reforms.
On its journey to become free of insecurity, free of debt and free to vote leaders into power, PM Khaire represented the future, the modern Somalia citizens and partners all aspire to,” Berlanga tweeted.
But the Federal Government has dismissed the criticisms noting the decision to remove the PM was in line with the country’s governance procedures.
Outgoing Information Minister Mohamed Mareye said in a press conference Sunday diplomatic missions in the country must follow laid down communication channels adding their statements were tantamount to disobedience of the country’s sovereignty.