Somali president visit Uganda amidst political unrest

By Guyson Nanagayi – Mogadishu – (AP)- The head of Somalia’s transition  government President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed  is travelling to Uganda for talks on security issues at a time of political upheaval in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Ministry of Information said on Friday.

The visit comes a day after a rift between Ahmed and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke over a new draft constitution boiled over. The prime minister faces a vote of confidence within two days that could see him lose his job.

Somalia’s Ministry of Information said  that President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed would confer with his Ugandan counterpart on ways Kampala can help Somalia restore security so the government can deliver services.
Uganda is one of two African countries with troops in Mogadishu to protect the weak, UN-backed government from powerful Islamist insurgents.

Somalia has not had an effective government for 19 years.