Bartamaha (Mogadishu):- The African Union Forces in Somalia are concerned that internal wrangles within the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) may undermine efforts to end the 20 year -old conflict.

Amisom Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, told journalists in Mogadishu on Thursday that political disharmony within the government has affected the morale of government soldiers. “The TFG forces have been affected by the confusion that is prevailing. But we are re-organising them. My analysis is that we have a big problem to solve within TFG,” he said. “If we do that we will have solved a big problem.”

Reorganising teams
Most frontlines visited by Daily Monitor last week in Mogadishu were manned by only Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers after government forces withdrew from their positions following attacks by al Shabaab. But Gen. Mugisha said they were re-organising them to re-occupy their bases this week.

On July 20, the former Prime Minister Abdirahman Sharmake resigned over differences between him and President Sheikh Sharrif Ahmed. Gen. Mugisha described the resignation of Mr Sharmarke as a good step to resolve their political differences. It has been three years since the African Union Forces set foot in Somalia – during that time the Prime Minister’s post has changed hands three times.

The wrangles, according to the Somali Information Minister, Mr Abdirahman Omar Osman, stem from the Somali Charter which gives both the prime minister and president equal powers. The prime minister appoints cabinet and the president does not have powers to sack the prime minister.

New Constitution
But Mr Osman said the wrangles would be solved after a new constitution which is the under way has been promulgated. The acting Prime minister, Mr Abdiwahid Elmi Gonjeh echoed Mr Osman’s remarks. “The problem was there but we are solving it,” he told foreign journalists in Somalia last week. Civilians are in dire need of humanitarian assistance after the collapse of public institutions left the country and her people on their knees.

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Source:-Daily Monitor.

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