Hargeisa- On Sunday the President of Somalia Mohamed Abdilahi Farmajo issued a press release saying he sacked the Chief Justice, Ibrahim Eidle Suleyman.

The Chief Justice rebuffed the dismissal and said the president does not have the power to fire him.

President Farmajo said in his statement that he has considered complaints made by the public, judges and legal professionals.

However, the Chief Justice is saying constitutionally the president cannot fire a Chief Justice.

He argues that in the separation of powers the executive does not have the power to dismiss and appoint the highest judicial officer of the country when it wishes.

It is not clear what the president will do on this new controversy.

It was a few weeks ago when the then speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament said he was asked by the president to resign. The speaker later resigned.