The European Union (EU) on Monday expressed concerns over the political developments in Somalia where the differences between the president and prime minister are threatening to bring down the fragile transitional government.
A statement from the Presidency of the Council of the EU issued by the French embassy in Nairobi called on Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to resolve their differences amicably.
"The Council of the EU Presidency is deeply concerned by the latest political developments in Somalia. Yesterday's (Sunday) announcement of the decision by the President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to dismiss PM Hussein from his duties appears to be particularly inopportune. It threatens to destabilize the political process at a key moment for Somalia and is inconsistent with the Transitional Federal Charter," the EU said in a statement.
Yusuf said on Sunday that he has sacked his prime minister, saying he had failed to bring security to the chaotic country.
"I have dismissed the Prime Minister and will appoint a new one within three days. His government failed to extend the federal system and security to the nation," Yusuf told members of parliament.
However, the parliament voted on Monday to reinstate sacked Hussein, plunging the fragile government of the Horn of Africa nation into further disarray.
But President Yusuf later said he would comply with any decision by the parliament. African Union Commission head Jean Ping condemned the dismissal.
"The Presidency of the Council of the European Union believes that it would be unacceptable for internal disputes to jeopardize the continuation of the peace process which entered six months ago by further weakening the transitional government," the EU said.
It urges the TFG's leaders to end these conflicts and to concentrate on the real challenges faced by the Somali people notably peace, stability and reconciliation.
Somalia has not had a functioning national government since President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. President Yusuf's administration only controls parts of the capital, Mogadishu, and the town of Baidoa after recent advances by Islamist insurgents.
"In this respect, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union reminds all the parties of the sanctions regime put in place by Security Council Resolution 1844 against individuals who threaten the peace process," said the EU.
"The Presidency of the Council of the European Union reiterates its full supports for the peace process in Somalia and the signatories of the peace agreements resulting from the negotiations in Djibouti six months ago," the bloc said in the statement.
The rift between the two leaders has spread to parliament, where supporters of President Yusuf have previously threatened to pass a vote of no-confidence on the prime minister.
Hussein was appointed prime minister in November 2007 to replace Ali Mohamed Gedi who had refused to negotiate with armed Islamists and other opposition groups.
Somalia has been racked by fighting between different armed groups for 17 years. It has led to a surge in pirate attacks on international shipping off its coast.
Some three million people -- around a third of the population -- need food aid, aid agencies say. About one million people have fled their homes -- many after fierce fighting in the capital of Mogadishu.