The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, denounced in the strongest possible terms on Sunday 26 July the vote of no-confidence by Somali MPs the day before against the Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, who was dismissed on Saturday.
“Developments in the House of the People of Somalia on Saturday represent a setback for Somalia and for the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia”, the High Representative said in a statement. He believes that the “procedures under which a motion of no confidence in the cabinet was passed did not meet minimal constitutional requirements”.
He also added that: “This vote occurred a day after the conclusion of a much anticipated meeting between the President and Federal Member States at which it was agreed that consultations would follow and a further meeting would occur on 15 August. These actions entail a serious disrespect for the constitutional foundations of Somalia, on which the European Union has been investing”.
Mr Borrell said that the EU “will review carefully how these events have come to pass, who bears responsibility and to what extent they deviate Somalia from the progress it was making and to which it had committed itself to its international partners”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)