Somali PM Sharmarke resigns as insurgency rages

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Somalia's Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke said he had resigned on Tuesday, after months of intense pressure to quit the United Nations-backed interim government.

The government has failed to end a three-year insurgency by hardline Islamists who now control much of the capital and huge chunks of south and central Somalia.

"After considering the political crisis in the government and increasing insecurity in Somalia, I have decided to resign from my post as prime minister," Sharmarke told reporters, flanked by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.

Ahmed said he welcomed Sharmarke's decision to quit and said he would nominate a new prime minister as soon as possible.

Some analysts say that a beleaguered Ahmed has been looking for a scapegoat as he tries to reassert his authority over a brittle administration and disillusioned nation.

Parliament had been due to hold a vote of confidence on Sharmarke's leadership on Saturday but there were insufficient lawmakers to form a quorum and the session was postponed. - Reuters

 

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- The resignation comes as violence continues in Somalia
- Spokesman says resignation comes day after gunman storms presidential palace

(CNN) -- Somalia's prime minister resigned Tuesday after a month of disagreements with the country's president.

Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke, the prime minister, told reporters about the resignation during a brief statement.

"After considering the political crisis within the government and the worsening security in Somalia, I have decided to resign from my post as prime minister," Sharmarke told reporters inside villa Somalia, the residence of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.

Sharmarke and Sharif have clashed over a number of issues including a new constitution for Somalia.
The president was present during the Sharmarke's speech and said he welcomed the resignation.
The resignation comes as violence continued in Mogadishu.

In the latest incident, a lone gunman tried to force his way into the presidential palace Monday night, according to the director of communication of the president, Abdirashid Khalif.

The gunman, who had a grenade and a rifle, was shot dead by security guards, Khalif said.

Source: CNN