Somalia: PM discusses political situation with U.S. official

Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble spoke by telephone with Molly Phee, a senior U.S. official about the political situation in his country, Reuters reported.

Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, federal government spokesman and senior adviser to PM Roble, said on Twitter the prime minister spoke to Molly Phee, U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs, about “the political situation in Somalia, security and elections”.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Monday suspended the powers of the prime minister who was under investigation for corruption.

Mr Roble is accused of stealing land owned by the Somali National Army and of interfering with a defence ministry investigation.

He denounced the president’s move and said it was a coup attempt.