History of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia
Encyclopedia
The Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) of the Republic of Somalia is the nation's federal government
. Established in 2004 through various international conferences, it is the most recent attempt to restore national institutions to the country after the 1991 collapse of the Siad Barre
regime and the ensuing Somali Civil War
.
There are two distinct phases of the transitional government: the Transitional National Government (TNG) and the Transitional Federal Government:
The TNG was opposed by a rival pan-Somali governmental movement, known as the Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
(SRRC). Eventually the factions of the TNG and the SRRC were reconciled, and a new united movement subsequently developed, dubbed the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG).
conference, this was a series of meetings held in Arta
, Djibouti
, on April 20 - May 5, 2000. The conference was aimed at bringing together representatives of the warring factions of Somalia to end the civil war that had claimed over 300,000 lives. The name Transitional National Government
(TNG) was selected for the movement at this time.
served as the interim President from August 27, 2000 until October 14, 2004. He was instrumental in negotiating early supporters of the TNG:
, former Prime Minister, was named as its head. The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
(SRRC) and Puntland
leadership objected strongly. Hussein later resigned on July 25, 2001.
(RRA) was still hotly contending with other factions, including warlord Adan Madobe, who captured Baidoa. The RRA accused the Juba Valley Alliance
of assisting the warlord, an accusation denied by the JVA leader Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
.
, Kenya
, the government endorses the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic
.
MPs elected warlord Abdullahi Yusuf, previously president of Puntland
, to be the next transitional President. He won 189 of the 275 votes from members of parliament. He was sworn in on October 14. Because of the situation in Mogadishu, the election was held in a sports centre in Nairobi
, Kenya
. The session of Parliament was also held in neighbouring Kenya. The TFG government was recognized by most western nations as legitimate, although their actual authority was questionable.
(TFG) by appointing cabinet ministers in November 2004. One of his key appointments was Ali Mohammed Ghedi
as Prime Minister.
, 260 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu
. 210 lawmakers of the 275-member parliament met in a grain
warehouse
temporarily converted into a meeting hall. For this reason the Transitional Federal Government was sometimes referred to as the "Baidoa Government."
, who ignored his orders to stop fighting the Supreme Islamic Courts Council
in the Second Battle of Mogadishu
. They were:
in taking Mogadishu
, and the alleged entry of Ethiopian
troops into Somalia, members of the transitional government started to resign. Before the resignations started, the government consisted of 42 full ministers and a further 60 assistant ministers. The government would have to resign if more than 50% — 22 — of the full ministers resigned.
On July 27, 2006 18 members resigned including the Public Works Minister Osman Ali Atto
, who said "Our government failed to implement national reconciliation, so we have decided to resign."
Ghedi survived a no-confidence vote on 30 July when his opponents failed to obtain the two-thirds majority required to dismiss him.
On August 1 eight more ministers resigned in protest at Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi
's postponement of talks with the Islamic Court. Fisheries Minister Hassan Abshir Farah said "We had no option but to resign because we believe if the talks are postponed again it will affect the reconciliation efforts"
By August 2, twenty-nine ministers had resigned including eleven full ministers.
By August 3 the tally had reached 36, including former Prime Minister and Health Minister Muhammad Abdi Yusuf
, who complained that "Our government is a reconciliation government, the prime minister has failed to honor that"
By August 4, forty cabinet members and 16 full ministers had quit, including Reconstruction Minister Barre Shire Adan who said "I have resigned because the government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi has failed to deliver"
On Monday August 7 the three top TFG leaders - Prime Minister Ghedi, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
and parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden
reportedly reached an agreement on talks with the Islamic Militia and the formation of a new government. The President announced the dissolution of the present cabinet and Ghedi was asked to propose a new cabinet, with only 31 full ministers, within a week.
protected the government position in Baidoa
. Ethiopia claimed until recently the troops only numbered in the hundreds, comprising trainers and advisors for the federal government's army. The opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU) claimed they numberered in the tens of thousands.
On December 15, 2006, sixty government members, including Member of Parliament Omar Hashii, gathered in Mogadishu to protest the presence of the foreign troops.
Late in December, the government won a series of victories at the battles of Baidoa
, Bandiradley
, Beledweyne
, Jowhar
and Jilib
. At the end of the year the TFG took possession of Mogadishu
and on New Year's Day
, 2007, Kismayo
.
declared a new administrator for Hiiran region, replacing Dabageed. Hussein Mohamud Moalim was named as new administrator, and Saleyman Ahmed Hilawle was nominated as assistant administrator.
Ali Mohammed Gedi announced "The warlord era in Mogadishu is now over."
He said all civilian groups and businesses would have three days to disarm and turn their weapons in to the government. Technicals
were to be brought to the old port in Mogadishu. All collected arms would be registered at Villa Somalia. An amnesty to Islamists was also extended.
On January 31, 2007, Sheikh Adan Madobe was elected as the new Speaker by the Parliament, receiving 154 of the 275 votes. The runner up was Ibrahim Adan Hassan, with 54 votes.
but not Mogadishu. By January 2009, Al-Shabaab and other militias had managed to force the Ethiopian troops to withdraw from the country, leaving behind an underequipped African Union
(AU) peacekeeping force.
Over the next few months, a new President was elected from amongst the more moderate Islamists, and the Transitional Federal Government, with the help of a small team of African Union troops, began a counteroffensive in February 2009 to retake control of the southern half of the country. To solidify its control of southern Somalia, the TFG formed an alliance with the Islamic Courts Union and other members of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
. Furthermore, Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main Islamist groups in opposition, began to fight amongst themselves in mid-2009.
As a truce, in March 2009, Somalia's newly established coalition government announced that it would implement shari'a as the nation's official judicial system.
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG) of the Republic of Somalia is the nation's federal government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
. Established in 2004 through various international conferences, it is the most recent attempt to restore national institutions to the country after the 1991 collapse of the Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
regime and the ensuing Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
.
There are two distinct phases of the transitional government: the Transitional National Government (TNG) and the Transitional Federal Government:
- The Transitional National GovernmentTransitional National GovernmentThe Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Djibouti....
(TNG) was formed in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC) in Djibouti. It had the following:- 2000: Election of Abdiqasim Salad HassanAbdiqasim Salad HassanDr Abdiqasim Salad Hassan is a prominent Somali politician. He was President of Somalia from 2001 to 2004, and previously served as Interior Minister and Finance Minister in the government of Mohamed Siad Barre.-Biography:...
as President by the clan/faction representatives - 2001: National Commission for Reconciliation and Property Settlement
- 2002: Somali Reconciliation Conference in EldoretEldoretEldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas...
, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
- 2000: Election of Abdiqasim Salad Hassan
The TNG was opposed by a rival pan-Somali governmental movement, known as the Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council was a political movement, as well as an armed militia, founded by Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid, son of the late warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid...
(SRRC). Eventually the factions of the TNG and the SRRC were reconciled, and a new united movement subsequently developed, dubbed the Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG).
- The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was formed in OctoberOctober 2004October 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December -Events:October 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December -Events:October 2004: January – February –...
–November 2004 in NairobiNairobiNairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
with the adoption of the following Transitional Federal InstitutionsTransitional Federal InstitutionsThe Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia are the key government foundations created in October–November 2004 at a conference held in Nairobi, Kenya. They include the following:* Transitional Federal Charter...
(TFI), all accomplished by the end of the sessions:- Selection of 275 Transitional Federal ParliamentTransitional Federal ParliamentThe Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic is an interim Parliament of Somalia formed in neighboring Kenya in 2004.The Transitional Federal Parliament has 550 members representing Somalia's clans, Islamist opposition, representatives of citizens' groups and the Somali...
(TFP) members - Approval of the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC)
- Election of Abdullahi Yusuf AhmedAbdullahi Yusuf AhmedAbdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
as President of Somalia and head of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) by the Parliament (October 10), and his appointment of the Council of Ministers, including Prime MinisterPrime Minister of SomaliaThis page contains a list of the Prime Ministers of Somalia.-Prime Ministers of Somalia :-Affiliations:*SYL - Somali Youth League*SNL - Somali National League...
Ali Mohammed GhediAli Mohammed GhediAli Mohamed Ghedi was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye clan, one of...
(November 4).
- Selection of 275 Transitional Federal Parliament
Somalia National Peace Conference
Officially dubbed the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC), and sometimes called the DjiboutiDjibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
conference, this was a series of meetings held in Arta
Arta, Djibouti
Arta is a city located in southeastern Djibouti.-Overview:The town is connected by National Highway 4.In 2000, peace talks between various factions of the Somali Civil War were held in Arta, resulting in the establishment of the Transitional National Government of Somalia.-References:*...
, Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, on April 20 - May 5, 2000. The conference was aimed at bringing together representatives of the warring factions of Somalia to end the civil war that had claimed over 300,000 lives. The name Transitional National Government
Transitional National Government
The Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Djibouti....
(TNG) was selected for the movement at this time.
Presidency of Abdiqasim Salad Hassan (2000-2004)
Abdiqasim Salad HassanAbdiqasim Salad Hassan
Dr Abdiqasim Salad Hassan is a prominent Somali politician. He was President of Somalia from 2001 to 2004, and previously served as Interior Minister and Finance Minister in the government of Mohamed Siad Barre.-Biography:...
served as the interim President from August 27, 2000 until October 14, 2004. He was instrumental in negotiating early supporters of the TNG:
- December 2000 - Hussein Haji Bod
- February 2001 - Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, appointed Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and later, Security Minister
- ??? - Osman Ali AttoOsman Ali AttoOsman Hassan Ali Atto is a Somali warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance.- Background :He is a member of the Somali Hawiye clan, sub-clan Habar Gedir Osman Hassan Ali Atto (born 1940) is a Somali warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance.- Background :He is a member of...
- June 18, 2001 - Barre Adan Shire HiiraaleBarre Adan Shire HiiraaleBarre Adan Shire , also known as Barre Hiiraale, Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire, or Abdikadir Adan Shire, is a former Minister of Defense of the Somali Transitional Federal Government . He was previously the TFG Minister for National Reconstruction and Resettlement...
, of the Juba Valley AllianceJuba Valley AllianceThe Juba Valley Alliance is a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement and the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland.Following the...
(JVA), later appointed Minister of Reconstruction and Resettlement and Defense Minister
Conference attendees who later opposed the TNG
- General Omar Haji Mohamed "Masale" - Somali National FrontSomali National FrontThe Somali National Front was a political revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia.-History:Initially made up of loyalists to former President of Somalia Siad Barre and the remnants of the Somali National Army forces after his ouster from office, the SNF's intent and goal was to...
(SNF) - Hassan Mohamed Nur "Shatigudud" - Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA)
- Abdullahi Sheikh IsmailAbdullahi Sheikh IsmailAbdullahi Sheikh Ismail was the deputy prime minister and foreign minister in the transitional government of Somalia. He was appointed to that position on December 1, 2004 as part of a partial government formed by Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Ghedi. He lost these positions in August 2006 when Ghedi...
- Southern Somali National Movement-Biennal Resistance Movement (SSNM-BIREM), though he later joined the TFG as Deputy Prime MinisterDeputy Prime MinisterA deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
and Foreign MinisterForeign ministerA Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
National Commission for Reconciliation and Property Settlement
On May 6, 2001, an effort to create a 25-member working body, dubbed the National Commission for Reconciliation and Property Settlement (NCRPS), was damaged when Abdirizak Haji HusseinAbdirizak Haji Hussein
Abdirizak Haji Hussein was Prime Minister of Somalia from 14 June 1964 to 15 July 1967.-Biography:Hussein was born in 1924 to a Majerteen Darod family in Galkacyo, the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia...
, former Prime Minister, was named as its head. The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council
The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council was a political movement, as well as an armed militia, founded by Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid, son of the late warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid...
(SRRC) and Puntland
Puntland
Puntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998....
leadership objected strongly. Hussein later resigned on July 25, 2001.
Leaders factions opposed to the TNG in 2001
- Hussein Mohamed Farah Aidid - Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration CouncilSomalia Reconciliation and Restoration CouncilThe Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council was a political movement, as well as an armed militia, founded by Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid, son of the late warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid...
(SRRC) - Musse Sudi "Yallahow"Musa Sudi YalahowMuse Sudi Yalahow is a notorious Somali warlord who served as Trade Minister in the Transitional Government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi. He was dismissed in June 2006 after ignoring government requests to halt fighting with the Islamic Courts Union militia....
Somali Reconciliation Conference
Held in Eldoret, Kenya, this conference was attended by most TFG supporters. However, at the time, the Rahanweyn Resistance ArmyRahanweyn Resistance Army
The Rahanweyn Resistance Army , also known as the Reewin Resistance Army, is an autonomist militant group operating in the two southwestern regions of Somalia, Bay and Bakool. It was the first Reewin armed faction to emerge during the Somali civil war...
(RRA) was still hotly contending with other factions, including warlord Adan Madobe, who captured Baidoa. The RRA accused the Juba Valley Alliance
Juba Valley Alliance
The Juba Valley Alliance is a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement and the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland.Following the...
of assisting the warlord, an accusation denied by the JVA leader Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
Barre Adan Shire , also known as Barre Hiiraale, Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire, or Abdikadir Adan Shire, is a former Minister of Defense of the Somali Transitional Federal Government . He was previously the TFG Minister for National Reconstruction and Resettlement...
.
Transitional Federal Charter
In February 2004, at NairobiNairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, the government endorses the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
.
Presidency of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (2004 - present)
On October 10, 2004 Somali Transitional Federal ParliamentTransitional Federal Parliament
The Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic is an interim Parliament of Somalia formed in neighboring Kenya in 2004.The Transitional Federal Parliament has 550 members representing Somalia's clans, Islamist opposition, representatives of citizens' groups and the Somali...
MPs elected warlord Abdullahi Yusuf, previously president of Puntland
Puntland
Puntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998....
, to be the next transitional President. He won 189 of the 275 votes from members of parliament. He was sworn in on October 14. Because of the situation in Mogadishu, the election was held in a sports centre in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. The session of Parliament was also held in neighbouring Kenya. The TFG government was recognized by most western nations as legitimate, although their actual authority was questionable.
Transitional Federal Government Formed
After his election, Yusuf formed the first Transitional Federal GovernmentTransitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG) by appointing cabinet ministers in November 2004. One of his key appointments was Ali Mohammed Ghedi
Ali Mohammed Ghedi
Ali Mohamed Ghedi was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye clan, one of...
as Prime Minister.
Parliament Held in Baidoa
On February 26, 2006 the parliament first met inside Somalia, in the city of BaidoaBaidoa
Baidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
, 260 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
. 210 lawmakers of the 275-member parliament met in a grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
temporarily converted into a meeting hall. For this reason the Transitional Federal Government was sometimes referred to as the "Baidoa Government."
Firings
In June 2006, Ghedi sacked four ministers, part of the CIA-backed Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-TerrorismAlliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism
The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism was a Somali alliance created by various warlords and businesspeople. The alliance included Botan Ise Alin, Mohammed Dheere, Mohamed Qanyare, Musa Sudi Yalahow, Nuur Daqle, Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid, Omar Muhamoud Finnish and others...
, who ignored his orders to stop fighting the Supreme Islamic Courts Council
Supreme Islamic Courts Council
The Islamic Courts Union was a group of Sharia Courts who united themselves to form a rival administration to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as head of the ICU...
in the Second Battle of Mogadishu
Second Battle of Mogadishu
The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The opposing forces were the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism , and militia loyal to the Islamic Court Union . The conflict began in mid-February, 2006, when Somali...
. They were:
- National Security Minister Mohamed Afrah QanyareMohamed Afrah QanyareMohamed Afrah Qanyare , is a Somali politician who was based to the south of Mogadishu Dayniile neighborhoods.Somali PM one of the political Flexible activity Mohamed Qanyare Afrah- United Somali Congress :...
- Commerce Minister Musa Sudi YalahowMusa Sudi YalahowMuse Sudi Yalahow is a notorious Somali warlord who served as Trade Minister in the Transitional Government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi. He was dismissed in June 2006 after ignoring government requests to halt fighting with the Islamic Courts Union militia....
- Militia Rehabilitation Minister Issa Botan Alin and
- Religious Affairs Minister Omar Muhamoud FinnishOmar Muhamoud Finnish- United Somali Congress/Somali Salvation Alliance :He is leader of a splinter movement of the United Somali Congress/Somali Salvation Alliance , which had been initially loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohammed during the Somali Civil War...
Resignations
Following the success of the Supreme Islamic Courts CouncilSupreme Islamic Courts Council
The Islamic Courts Union was a group of Sharia Courts who united themselves to form a rival administration to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, with Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as head of the ICU...
in taking Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
, and the alleged entry of Ethiopian
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
troops into Somalia, members of the transitional government started to resign. Before the resignations started, the government consisted of 42 full ministers and a further 60 assistant ministers. The government would have to resign if more than 50% — 22 — of the full ministers resigned.
On July 27, 2006 18 members resigned including the Public Works Minister Osman Ali Atto
Osman Ali Atto
Osman Hassan Ali Atto is a Somali warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance.- Background :He is a member of the Somali Hawiye clan, sub-clan Habar Gedir Osman Hassan Ali Atto (born 1940) is a Somali warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance.- Background :He is a member of...
, who said "Our government failed to implement national reconciliation, so we have decided to resign."
Ghedi survived a no-confidence vote on 30 July when his opponents failed to obtain the two-thirds majority required to dismiss him.
On August 1 eight more ministers resigned in protest at Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi
Ali Mohammed Ghedi
Ali Mohamed Ghedi was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye clan, one of...
's postponement of talks with the Islamic Court. Fisheries Minister Hassan Abshir Farah said "We had no option but to resign because we believe if the talks are postponed again it will affect the reconciliation efforts"
By August 2, twenty-nine ministers had resigned including eleven full ministers.
By August 3 the tally had reached 36, including former Prime Minister and Health Minister Muhammad Abdi Yusuf
Muhammad Abdi Yusuf
Muhammad Abdi Yusuf was the Prime Minister of Somalia from December 8, 2003 to November 3, 2004.-Biography:Yusuf was appointed Prime Minister on December 8, 2003 by then President of Somalia, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, to replace Hassan Abshir Farah...
, who complained that "Our government is a reconciliation government, the prime minister has failed to honor that"
By August 4, forty cabinet members and 16 full ministers had quit, including Reconstruction Minister Barre Shire Adan who said "I have resigned because the government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi has failed to deliver"
On Monday August 7 the three top TFG leaders - Prime Minister Ghedi, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
and parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden
Sheikh Sharif Hassan Adan is a Somali politician. He is a former Finance Minister of Somalia, and the current Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament...
reportedly reached an agreement on talks with the Islamic Militia and the formation of a new government. The President announced the dissolution of the present cabinet and Ghedi was asked to propose a new cabinet, with only 31 full ministers, within a week.
New cabinet
On August 21 Prime Minister Gedi appointed a new reduced cabinet of 31 ministers. It included new Ministers for national security, defence, finance and foreign-affairs but retained former warlord Hussein Mohamed Aidid as Interior Minister. 44 deputy ministers will also be appointed in the coming days. The Assembly was due to vote on approving the cabinet on 2006-08-26 but this vote was delayed amid fears that the new government wouldn't be approved.Rise of the ICU, Ethiopian Intervention
The government faced off against the ICU between June and December 2006, as the Islamists spread out from Mogadishu. Troops from EthiopiaWar in Somalia (2006–present)
The War in Somalia was an armed conflict involving largely Ethiopian and Somali Transitional Federal Government forces and Somali troops from Puntland versus the Somali Islamist umbrella group, the Islamic Court Union , and other affiliated militias for control of the country. There is a clear...
protected the government position in Baidoa
Baidoa
Baidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
. Ethiopia claimed until recently the troops only numbered in the hundreds, comprising trainers and advisors for the federal government's army. The opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU) claimed they numberered in the tens of thousands.
On December 15, 2006, sixty government members, including Member of Parliament Omar Hashii, gathered in Mogadishu to protest the presence of the foreign troops.
Late in December, the government won a series of victories at the battles of Baidoa
Battle of Baidoa
The Battle of Baidoa began on December 20, 2006 when the Somali Transitional Federal Government's forces allied with Ethiopian forces stationed there attacked advancing Islamic Courts Union forces along with 500 alleged Eritrean troops and mujahideen arrayed against them.The battle began with...
, Bandiradley
Battle of Bandiradley
The Battle of Bandiradley in Somalia began on December 23, 2006, when Ethiopian and Puntland forces, along with Warlord Abdi Qeybdid fought the forces of the Islamic Courts Union defending Bandiradley...
, Beledweyne
Battle of Beledweyne
Battle of Beledweyne may refer to:*Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne *Battle of Beledweyne...
, Jowhar
Battle of Jowhar
The Battle of Jowhar was a battle in the 2006 Somali War fought between the Islamic Courts Union and affiliated militias against Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government forces for control of the town of Jowhar . It began on December 27, 2006, when retreating ICU forces regrouped near their...
and Jilib
Battle of Jilib
The Battle of Jilib was a battle in the 2006 Somali War fought by the Islamic Courts Union and affiliated militias against Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government forces for control of the town of Jilib...
. At the end of the year the TFG took possession of Mogadishu
Fall of Mogadishu
The Fall of Mogadishu occurred on December 28, 2006, when the militaries of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian troops entered the Somali capital unopposed...
and on New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
, 2007, Kismayo
Fall of Kismayo
The Fall of Kismayo occurred on January 1, 2007, when the troops of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopian forces entered the Somali city of Kismayo unopposed...
.
New Administrator for Hiiran
On January 1, 2007, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf AhmedAbdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed is a veteran Somali politician. He is one of the founders of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, as well as the Puntland State of Somalia, where he served as the autonomous region's first President...
declared a new administrator for Hiiran region, replacing Dabageed. Hussein Mohamud Moalim was named as new administrator, and Saleyman Ahmed Hilawle was nominated as assistant administrator.
Disarmament
On January 1, 2007, Somali Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Ali Mohammed Gedi announced "The warlord era in Mogadishu is now over."
He said all civilian groups and businesses would have three days to disarm and turn their weapons in to the government. Technicals
Technical (fighting vehicle)
A technical is a type of improvised fighting vehicle, typically a civilian or military non-combat vehicle, modified to provide an offensive capability similar to a military gun truck...
were to be brought to the old port in Mogadishu. All collected arms would be registered at Villa Somalia. An amnesty to Islamists was also extended.
Replacement of the Speaker
On January 17, 2007, the parliament removed the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, by a vote of 183 in favor of removal to 8 against and one abstention. The Speaker had been accused of being absent from Parliamentary sessions for months, and for being supportive of the Islamic Courts Union. The parliament met in a converted grain warehouse in Baidoa. Parliament planned to replace the Speaker within two weeks.On January 31, 2007, Sheikh Adan Madobe was elected as the new Speaker by the Parliament, receiving 154 of the 275 votes. The runner up was Ibrahim Adan Hassan, with 54 votes.
Sacking of Ministers
On February 7, 2007, Prime Minister Ghedi announced that he was dismissing three ministers: Health Minister Abdiaziz Sheikh Yusuf, Higher Education and Culture Minister Hussein Mohamud Sheikh Hussein, both for failing to carry out duties and misappropriating funds, and Mineral and Water Resources Minister Mohamud Salad Nuur for failing to be sworn in after his appointment. Interior Minister Hussein Aidid was also transferred to the less prestigious position of Public Works and Housing. A total of 10 cabinet positions were reassigned in the reorganization.2008-2009
Throughout 2007 and 2008, the Al-Shabaab group of militants scored military victories, seizing control of key towns and ports in both central and southern Somalia. At the end of 2008, the group had captured BaidoaBaidoa
Baidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
but not Mogadishu. By January 2009, Al-Shabaab and other militias had managed to force the Ethiopian troops to withdraw from the country, leaving behind an underequipped African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
(AU) peacekeeping force.
Over the next few months, a new President was elected from amongst the more moderate Islamists, and the Transitional Federal Government, with the help of a small team of African Union troops, began a counteroffensive in February 2009 to retake control of the southern half of the country. To solidify its control of southern Somalia, the TFG formed an alliance with the Islamic Courts Union and other members of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia is an organization created in September 2007 when Somali Islamists and opposition leaders meeting in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, joined forces to fight the Transitional Federal Government and the occupation of Somalia by Ethiopian forces.Roughly 400...
. Furthermore, Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main Islamist groups in opposition, began to fight amongst themselves in mid-2009.
As a truce, in March 2009, Somalia's newly established coalition government announced that it would implement shari'a as the nation's official judicial system.
Links
- UN Somalia United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)