Somalia’s president travels to Uganda for security talks, leaving behind political unrest

Somali president in Uganda during political unrest

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s president is traveling to Uganda for talks on security issues at a time of political upheaval in Mogadishu.

Somalia’s Ministry of Information said Friday that President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed would confer with his Ugandan counterpart on ways Kampala can help Somalia restore security so the government can deliver services.

Uganda is one of two African countries with troops in Mogadishu to protect the weak, U.N.-backed government from powerful Islamist insurgents.

The visit comes a day after a rift between Ahmed and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke over a new draft constitution boiled over. The prime minister faces a vote of confidence within two days that could see him lose his job.

Somalia has not had an effective government for 19 years.