Premier admits disagreements

The prime minister of the Transitional National Government (TNG) of Somalia, Ali Khalif Galayr, has admitted the existence of differences reported between him, the president and the Transitional National Assembly (TNG), a senior official in the prime minister’s office told IRIN. Galayr had made the admission during an appearance on HornAfrik television, but said that all issues had now been resolved, HornAfrik reported on 22 September. Hasan Muhammad Haji of the prime minister’s office said the differences with the president and the TNA had been “over the division of functions between the various branches of government”. Haji said the prime minister had met the president, and that they had agreed “to engage in more consultation, and to abide by the interim charter”, which defines the functions of the different organs of government. Galayr had reportedly complained that the TNA and the president were usurping powers assigned to the prime minister’s office, sources told IRIN.

TNA sources, however, told IRIN that disagreements within the TNG were far from over. “If Ali Khalif says they are over, he is being disingenuous. He and the president may have talked, but there is a lot of resentment in parliament over how this government is being run.” There was a real possibility that some parliamentarians might table a motion of no confidence in the government, a TNA member told IRIN. The differences were real and would not go away that easily, he added. Parliament would not desist from questioning what it perceived to be irregularities just because the prime minister and the president had met and apparently come to an agreement, the MP said.