Tensions and a power tussle between the Prime Minister and President of Somalia over whether or not to hold its game-changing “one man one vote” elections in February 2021 have resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire by the country’s parliament in a hasty no-confidence vote cast on Sunday.

Hassan Ali Khaire, who was appointed as Prime Minister by President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed in 2017, was removed after 170 out of 178 lawmakers voted in favour of him being unfit for office. According to a statement from the Presidency, Khaire is set to be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled, who will serve in an acting capacity to ensure continuity of government programmes.

Between the President and Prime Minister

Khaire’s speedy removal comes as no surprise as both the Prime Minister and the President have been at loggerheads for a while now over when to stage Somalia’s national elections, duein February 2021. While the President and his supporters have expressed support for the postponement of the polls indefinitely, Khaire had insisted it went ahead as planned, citing any alterations or plans to extend the President’s term as “unconstitutional” and harmful to the security and political system of the country.

For the past 50 years, Somalia has run on a complex system in which special delegates select lawmakers who then go on to decide who occupies the apex seat of the country’s government. Aiming to hold its first one person one vote democratic poll next year – the first since 1969, the air of uncertainty seems to have heightened with the exit of Khaire, one of the only top leaders in favour of seeing the elections through next year.

Norway-born Khaire, 52, was a political newcomer when he was appointed prime minister, having previously held the position of Director of the Africa department of the British firm Soma Oil and Gas.