First of three ministers resigns to contest for Speaker post

State minister for Trade and Industry Abdi Aziz Hassan Mohamed has resigned his post to contest for Lower House speaker position heading the pack of three ministers slated to exit their ministerial posts.

The minister who was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Hassan Khaire when he formed his first cabinet last March said he submitted his resignation in response to the conditions unveiled by the election committee Sunday.

“I am resigning my position in order to vie for the post of speaker in line with the regulations issued by the elections committee,” Hassan told journalists. “I thank the Prime Minister for the confidence he had in me to serve as minister for more than a year,” the minister popularly known by his nickname, Lafta Green added.

The parliamentary committee tasked with overseeing the elections Sunday said ministers intending to vie for the seat must resign their posts before being registered as candidates. The registration started today and will end tomorrow.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of former Speaker Mohamed Jawari after a month long political dispute with Khaire.

Other ministers expected to exit their posts are Water and Energy Minister Salim Ibrow and his Defense counterpart Mohamed Mursal.

The election will take place April 30.

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