Talks between Somali president, prime minister end in stalemate

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Efforts to end differences between Somalia's president and prime minister have failed, according to the country's central state president, who was serving as a mediator.

In a statement on Friday, President of Galmudug State Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor) accused Somali President Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed for the failure.

On Sept. 16, President Mohamed suspended Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble's power to appoint and remove officials, accusing him of making "rash and hasty decisions."

The presidency said the suspension of powers would remain in place until elections are concluded later this year.

The prime minister has dismissed the president's move as "unlawful," saying he would "only abide by the decisions that are in line with the Constitution."

"As you are aware, President of Galmudug Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor) has been working on resolving the dispute over the Ikraan Tahliil case, which has caused a great deal of controversy between President Farmajo and Prime Minister Roble," Galmudug State presidency minister Omar Shido posted on social media. "All efforts ended in a stalemate, with Roble's side showing maturity."

Tensions between Mohamed and Roble have risen since they appointed separate individuals to head the country's intelligence agency earlier this month.

Roble had dismissed National Intelligence and Security Agency Director Fahad Yasin, alleging that he had failed to deliver a report on the murder of a female agent who disappeared in June.

He appointed Bashir Mohamed Jama as the agency's interim chief, while President Farmajo named Yasin Abdullahi Mohamed as head.