Galmudug speaker Asir kicked out in controversial no-confidence vote in Dhusamareb

Galmudug state MPs allied to president Ahmed Haaf Haaf have voted to send home embattled parliament speaker Ali Asir in a no confidence motion in Dhusamareb.

Out of 147 MPs present, 146 MPs filed an affirmative vote to strip Asir of his post while only one lawmaker abstained.

The vote comes a day after the Senate urged the state parliaments to hold back their no confidence motions to allow for dialogue. The Senate Wednesday dispatched senators to the federal states following a fall-out between the federal government and regional administrations.

Asir stood ground Wednesday daring the lawmakers to impeach him. Speaking in Adado, Asir said the impending vote in Adado was unconstitutional.

Thursday’s vote follows run-ins in Galmudug which has seen the state parliament break into two factions. Asir’s faction is based in Adado while Haaf’s team is in Dhusamareb.

According to the Djibouti agreement last year while led to the merger between Galmudug state and the moderate Islamist group Alhu Sunna Wal Jamaa, the state parliament is supposed to sit in Adado putting into question today’s vote which took place in Dhusamareb.

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For Asir, today’s vote looks like payback. A faction allied to him last year voted to impeach president Haaf but the vote never materialised despite backing from the federal government. State presidents rallied behind Haaf and secured his stay in power.

With the inclusion of Alhusuna, Galmudug parliament has now been expanded to 195 legislators. Alhusuna brought in 106 MPs added to the existing 89.