Somali Lawmakers Move to Sack Prime Minister

Somali lawmakers presented a motion in parliament Thursday to oust the prime minister, amid warnings the power struggles and political turmoil could damage efforts to rebuild the war-torn nation.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his prime minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, have been at odds for months, prompting international backers to warn infighting is putting at risk the fragile gains made, with the al-Qaida-affiliated Shebab rebels still carrying out regular attacks.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the motion on Saturday, although previous debates have ended in shouting matches inside parliament between rival politicians.

However, MP Abdi Hosh said the debates Thursday were "calm and orderly."

Ahmed took the post in December 2013 after his predecessor Abdi Farah Shirdon was ousted by parliament after just over a year in the post.

The United Nations, United States and European Union have all warned the power struggles are putting at risk the progress Somalia has made.

Political wrangles and reports of corruption have raised concern the government, like the last administration, is blighted by infighting and failing to unite in the face of the threat by the Shebab.

Somalia this week was again ranked worst in the world for graft, according to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns people face a "deepening humanitarian crisis" with over three million needing aid. The number of people in crisis is growing for the first time since the end of a devastating famine three years ago.