The political rift between two of Somalia’s top leaders worsened Monday when President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed announced that he was suspending Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

A spokesperson for President Mohammed, popularly known as Faramajo, said he took action due to an investigation into an illegal purchase of public land involving Prime Minister Roble.

Roble’s suspension came out a day after the Prime Minister accused Mohamed of interrupting parliamentary elections.

Mohamed also said he had also removed the commander of marine forces, General Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir, from office while a similar investigation was being carried out.

Reuters reports that security forces have been deployed around Roble’s offices, which the country assistant information minister has described as “an indirect coup.”

Earlier this year, both leaders had an agreement where they would allow 101 delegates to select members of parliament about who would choose the next head of the state.

Viewers warn the feud between Farmajo and Roble could distract the government from the ongoing threat from the violent al Qaida- linked al Shabab, the insurgent group. The group has also fought for the central government to seize power and impose sharia law in Somalia, which has also been plagued by decades of chaos and conflict since the overthrow of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.