Somalia chief justice sacking sparks court row

Ibrahim Idle Suleyman was sworn in Saturday as the new chief justice of Somalia's Supreme Court, while his predecessor Bashe Yusuf Ahmed denounced his dismissal by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as a threat to the constitutional order.

The dispute follows a Supreme Court ruling Thursday that ordered parties to agree within 30 days on terms for an election and to hold polling within 90 days. Elections had been due on May 15 next year.

The court also ruled that Mohamud's continued tenure was "illegal" after constitutional changes earlier this year extended his term from four years to five.

Mohamud attended Suleyman's swearing-in ceremony, his office said. In a speech, the president urged the new chief justice to carry out his duties with integrity and responsibility and to safeguard judicial independence.

Opposition parties have criticised Ahmed's removal and the new constitution, saying they see them as a way for Mohamud to remain in power. They also view Suleyman as an ally of the president.

Ahmed said the timing of his removal "raises serious constitutional and legal concerns and threatens the constitutional order". He called on Mohamud to revoke the decision, withdraw armed forces sent to the court and stop what he described as intimidation of court staff.

The development comes as Somalia faces the announced withdrawal of Ugandan troops, which have been seen as an important source of support for the army in its fight against Al-Shabaab, an armed group linked to Al-Qaeda.