Somalia president resigns; new unity government seen

Abdullahi Yusuf, a former warlord who had served as president of a transitional government since 2004, submitted his resignation to parliament and immediately returned to his native Puntland region in northern Somalia.

In a speech to lawmakers before leaving, the combative leader admitted he had failed to restore peace but blamed the international community for what he called a lack of support. "I urge all of you to unite," he said.

Yusuf, 74, had been facing pressure to step down after losing a power struggle with Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, who is pushing a reconciliation plan that would bring a moderate Islamist opposition faction into government.

"The resignation is a bold step that moves Somalia toward peace and democracy," Hussein said today.

Yusuf's resignation came as Ethiopian troops, which had been supporting and protecting him for two years, were preparing to withdraw as soon as Wednesday, raising fears that insurgents will use the security vacuum to seize the few regions of southern Somalia that they don't already control.

In accordance with Somalia's transitional charter, Yusuf's day-to-day duties will be temporarily assumed by Sheik Aden Madobe, also a former warlord and onetime ally of the president. Madobe split with Yusuf several months ago.

Parliament is supposed to elect a new president within 30 days, but some lawmakers said they would likely wait until a new parliament is formed under the terms of the pending reconciliation deal. Lawmakers hope to convene the expanded legislature, including a large opposition faction, by February.

"It's a positive step that Yusuf has moved on," said one U.S. official was not authorized to speak publicly and so requested anonymity. "But now we are focused on succession plan. We'd like to see that done in 30 days."

About 125 people, including Yusuf's family, security officers and about 30 lawmakers, left Mogadishu on Sunday night in a show of support for the president, according one airport employee. Some experts fear Yusuf's departure may cause a new north-south rift in the government. But one of the departing lawmakers said he and others were leaving because of security concerns about what will happen once the Ethiopians troops leave.

In recent weeks, rival Islamist militias have jockeyed for position, including a battle last weekend for control of cities north of Mogadishu. Insurgents already control parts of the capital and are poised to take over the remaining areas after the Ethiopians leave.

In the port city of Merka, insurgent infighting appears to have led gunmen to storm World Food Program offices on Sunday, temporarily interrupting the agency's food distribution. According to United Nations estimates, nearly half of Somalia's population requires humanitarian aid.

edmund.sanders@latimes.com

Special correspondent Lutfi Sheriff Mohammed in Mogadishu contributed to this report.