Somali MPs Leave Baidoa on President's Orders

There are confirmed reports that Somali MPs left Baidoa on December 28, 2008 headed back to Galka'yo and Garawe. The MPs reportedly left on private jet accommodated by Abdullahi Yusuf.

Mr. Yusuf is expected to resign as President in the coming days, and the departure of the members of parliament from Baidoa indicates the weakening state of the TFG Parliament.

According to eye witnesses at the Badoa airport, some civilian passengers were forcefully taken off the plane that the 14 MPs boarded. No word on whether the civilian passengers were given back their air ticket fees or not.

In the past few days, Abdullahi Yusuf held meetings in his compound in Baidoa with tens of TFG officials including the departed MPs - all of whom are his clansmen.

The reports add that the soon-to-resign TFG President is expected to return home to Puntland in the coming weeks leaving all responsibilities of the TFG to the Prime Minister.