Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharma’arke on Tuesday announced that his resignation following months of rift with the Somali president. Sharma’arke told reporters he was resigning while standing alongside President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the Somali lawmakers.

“I decided to resign today as the prime minister of the Somalia transitional federal government of Somalia after disagreement with President Ahmed,” harma’arke told lawmakers.

After presenting his resignation letter, President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Speaker of Parliament, and Sharmarke held a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace to give a brief to the media.

The Somali president accepted the decision and appreciated Sharma’arke for his supports to the nation.

“I do appreciate all the works that the premier does for us, now I will appoint a new prime minister as soon as possible who will in turn form a government of national unity,” he said.

Somalia’s parliament had already tried to oust the prime Minister in May but Sharma’arke had declared the vote unconstitutional and refused to resign. Sharmarke smiled and waved today as he left the news conference, which Ahmed attended.

“Both men looked very happy. I was not expecting them to look so,” parliamentarian Mowlid Maane, told the AP, commenting on rumors that Sharmarke was paid “to go away quietly.” He added, “There must be a hidden agenda they have agreed to.”

News Report by Abdulaziz Billow
Abdulaziz Billow is AfrobeatRadio’s correspondent for East Africa.