PM Roble steps in to tame Hashi-Guled fall-out as elections near

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble has moved in to help mend divisions among two factions in the Somaliland caucus following the election of parallel leadership to the interim elections body.

Roble met all lawmakers and stakeholders representing Somaliland in the Federal Parliament Wednesday amid a new round of political feuds between Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled and Senate Speaker Abdi Hashi.

Government spokesman Mohamed Moalimuu said in a tweet the PM assured the two sides ‘that his office is so committed to managing elections in a transparent and impartial manner.’

Hashi and Guled have sharply differed over the leadership of the Somaliland caucus including the composition of the interim elections team.

The two sides were allocated six slots in the elections team while the Office of the Prime Minister would appoint three officials.

However, both sides (Hashi and Guled) elected their respective chair and vice-chair to the State Interim Elections Team (SIET) on Monday opening a new round of battles as Senate and Lower House elections near.

Elections for Senators will take place on July 25 while that of MPs will run from August 10 to September 10 culminating in the election of a new president on October 10.