MOGADISHU -- Eleven ministers in the Somali transitional government on Saturday have announced their resignation from the cabinet after accusing Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein of usurping power and sacking the mayor of Mogadishu without consulting them.
Speaking at a press conference held in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, Qadijo Mohamed Diriye, Minister for Women Development and Family Affairs, said the prime minister breached the National Federal Charter by dismissing Mohamed Omar Habeeb, the Mogadishu mayor.
Hussein sacked Habeeb, who is also the Governor of Banadir region, Wednesday after he accused the mayor of incompetence, mismanagement, embezzlement, insubordination, and abuse of power.
The former mayor has refused to leave office, saying he has the official endorsement of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who he said has the final say in his sacking.
The president has not so far commented on the mayor's dismissal but some reports say he is not pleased with it and there are also other reports saying he has reinstated the mayor.
The ministers who announced their resignation include two deputy prime ministers who also hold ministerial posts, eight ministers and one deputy minister.
