This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7802622.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Somalia's president quits office | Somalia's president quits office |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf has told parliament he is resigning - a move which adds to the chaos in the country as Ethiopian troops withdraw. | |
Mr Yusuf's resignation follows a power struggle with Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, who parliament backed after Mr Yusuf tried to sack him. | |
Ethiopian soldiers, who support the government, are due to pull out this week, raising fears of a power vacuum. | |
Various Islamist and nationalist groups control most of southern Somalia. | |
Last week, Mohamed Mahamud Guled, who Mr Yusuf wanted to install as prime minister, resigned saying his appointment was destabilising the government. | |
The parliament speaker is now supposed to take over leadership responsibilities. | |
Mr Yusuf was chosen by MPs four years ago at the end of a long process supposed to bring peace to Somalia, which has not had an effective national government since 1991. | |
But government forces only control parts of the capital, Mogadishu and the town of Baidoa. | |
'Failed in duty' | 'Failed in duty' |
Mr Yusuf told MPs in Baidoa: "As I promised when you elected me on October 14, 2004, I would stand down if I failed to fulfil my duty, I have decided to return the responsibility you gave me." | |
In his speech, broadcast on national radio, he said: "When I took power I pledged three things. | In his speech, broadcast on national radio, he said: "When I took power I pledged three things. |
"If I was unable to fulfil my duty I will resign. Second, I said I will do everything in my power to make government work across the country. That did not happen either. | "If I was unable to fulfil my duty I will resign. Second, I said I will do everything in my power to make government work across the country. That did not happen either. |
"Third, I asked the leaders to co-operate with me for the common good of the people. That did not happen," he said, according to Associated Press news agency. | "Third, I asked the leaders to co-operate with me for the common good of the people. That did not happen," he said, according to Associated Press news agency. |
Mr Yusuf had faced criticism for appointing Mr Guled in defiance of Somali MPs, who overwhelmingly rejected the dismissal of his predecessor. | |
The president had clashed in recent months with Mr Nur over attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Islamist-led armed opposition. | The president had clashed in recent months with Mr Nur over attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the Islamist-led armed opposition. |
Mr Guled said he had chosen to resign "so that I am not seen as a stumbling block to the peace process which is going well now". | |
The regional grouping, Igad, which brokered the talks leading to Mr Yusuf's election, this month imposed sanctions on him, calling him an obstacle to peace. |