NAIROBI, 17 May 2010 (IRIN) - The widening rift between Somalia's leaders could weaken the transitional government and its ability to deal with problems facing the country, ranging from insurgency to humanitarian crises, according to observers and civil society sources.

"This infighting is bad news not only for the TFG [Transitional Federal Government] but also for the people who hoped that it would solve some of their problems," said Ibrahim Sheikh Hassan, a former law professor. "But it is good news for the insurgents."

The Islamist Al-Shabab and Hisbul Islam groups have apparently gained control of more areas in recent weeks, a reflection "of the government's weakness and divisions, not the strength of the insurgents".

On 16 May, parliamentary speaker Adan Madobe declared that the House had withdrawn confidence in the government of Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid. As a result, he added, the government was no longer legally in office. However, MPs opposed to Madobe said his mandate as speaker had expired, so he could not speak for parliament.

"The government is in no danger of collapse; what is happening has created a bad impression and that is all," Madobe Nuunow, Minister for Constitutional Affairs and a parliamentarian allied to Abdirashid, told IRIN on 17 May.

The "former" speaker [Adan Madobe], he added, was creating confusion. "His mandate has elapsed and he should abide by the law," the minister said.

The confusion in parliament happened on a day when at least 30 people were killed and 100 others injured in fighting between insurgents and government forces, according to civil society sources.

NAIROBI, 17 May 2010 (IRIN) - The widening rift between Somalia's leaders could weaken the transitional government and its ability to deal with problems facing the country, ranging from insurgency to humanitarian crises, according to observers and civil society sources.

"This infighting is bad news not only for the TFG [Transitional Federal Government] but also for the people who hoped that it would solve some of their problems," said Ibrahim Sheikh Hassan, a former law professor. "But it is good news for the insurgents."

The Islamist Al-Shabab and Hisbul Islam groups have apparently gained control of more areas in recent weeks, a reflection "of the government's weakness and divisions, not the strength of the insurgents".

On 16 May, parliamentary speaker Adan Madobe declared that the House had withdrawn confidence in the government of Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid. As a result, he added, the government was no longer legally in office. However, MPs opposed to Madobe said his mandate as speaker had expired, so he could not speak for parliament.

"The government is in no danger of collapse; what is happening has created a bad impression and that is all," Madobe Nuunow, Minister for Constitutional Affairs and a parliamentarian allied to Abdirashid, told IRIN on 17 May.

The "former" speaker [Adan Madobe], he added, was creating confusion. "His mandate has elapsed and he should abide by the law," the minister said.

The confusion in parliament happened on a day when at least 30 people were killed and 100 others injured in fighting between insurgents and government forces, according to civil society sources.

Source http://www.irinnews.org/