Case of missing spy worsens tensions among leaders

Prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble fired the head of the country’s intelligence unit over the disappearance of a female spy. He ordered spy chief Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir, a former close ally of the president, to hand over power within three days. He said the handling of the case of 24-year-old Ikran Tahlil Farah, below, who has been missing since June, was “inappropriate”.

But in a row threatening to derail Somalia’s election process, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmaajo, has issued a statement rejecting the prime minister’s decision, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional”, instructing Fahad Yasin to remain in his role.

Conflict between the leaders has been brewing for weeks.