World
Somali former chief justice blasts sacking as successor sworn in
Mohamud, who dismissed Bashe Yusuf Ahmed as head of the supreme court before the ruling, attended the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, Ibrahim Idle Suleyman, his office said.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
By: AFP ., Journalist @New Vision
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MOGADISHU — The new chief justice of the Somali Supreme Court was sworn in on Saturday, as his predecessor denounced his sacking by the country's president as a threat to the constitutional order.
Elections were due to be held on May 15 next year, but the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered parties to agree to terms for a vote within 30 days and polling to be held within 90.
The top court also ruled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's continued tenure was "illegal", after changes to the constitution earlier this year extended his term from four years to five.
Mohamud, who dismissed Bashe Yusuf Ahmed as head of the supreme court before the ruling, attended the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, Ibrahim Idle Suleyman, his office said.
In a speech, Mohamud urged the new chief justice to "fulfil his constitutional duties with integrity, honesty and a strong sense of responsibility" as well as safeguard judicial independence.
Opposition parties have criticised Ahmed's removal and the new constitution, viewing them as a ploy for Mohamud to remain in power, and see Suleyman as a presidential ally.
Ahmed himself denounced his sacking, saying its timing "raises serious constitutional and legal concerns and threatens the constitutional order".
In a speech, Mohamud urged the new chief justice to "fulfil his constitutional duties with integrity, honesty and a strong sense of responsibility" as well as safeguard judicial independence.
Opposition parties have criticised Ahmed's removal and the new constitution, viewing them as a ploy for Mohamud to remain in power, and see Suleyman as a presidential ally.
Ahmed himself denounced his sacking, saying its timing "raises serious constitutional and legal concerns and threatens the constitutional order".
"Dictatorship does not always begin with a coup," he added.
"It begins when legal procedures are treated as obstacles, legitimate institutions are expected to submit to powerful individuals, and those in office seek to decide for themselves who may hold them accountable."
Ahmed called on the president to revoke his removal as well as withdraw armed forces sent to the court and stop the intimidation of court staff.
"These steps are essential to uphold the rule of law, judicial independence and the dignity of our national institutions," he added.
The development comes with Somalia weakened by the announced withdrawal of Ugandan troops seen as a vital source of support for the army in its fight against Al-Shabaab, an armed group linked to Al-Qaeda.
"It begins when legal procedures are treated as obstacles, legitimate institutions are expected to submit to powerful individuals, and those in office seek to decide for themselves who may hold them accountable."
Ahmed called on the president to revoke his removal as well as withdraw armed forces sent to the court and stop the intimidation of court staff.
"These steps are essential to uphold the rule of law, judicial independence and the dignity of our national institutions," he added.
The development comes with Somalia weakened by the announced withdrawal of Ugandan troops seen as a vital source of support for the army in its fight against Al-Shabaab, an armed group linked to Al-Qaeda.