Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo arrived in the city of Galkaayo on Saturday ending a seven day tour of Puntland and beginning his Galmudug state visit.
Galmudug State President Ahmed Haaf received Farmaajo at the Galkaayo Airport ahead of his planned tour of Dhusamareb and Adado towns.
The divided city of Galkaayo is administered by both Galmudug and Puntland which have in the past been in military confrontation over disputed territory.
Farmaajo’s visit is expected to boost a peace deal between the two states signed in June 2017 to end the recurrent conflict.
The state is seen as an opposition stronghold despite being the President’s “home†region.
Last year the Federal government was accused of political machinations that led to the contested “impeachment†of regional President Haaf.
It is the Galmudug crisis and growing rift between federal government and the regions that led to the Kismayu Forum that brought together the President, Prime Minister and the six leaders of the states.
Galmudug recently signed a power sharing deal with the Ahlu Sunna Wa Jamaa which controlled a large potion of the state and Farmaajo’s tour is expected to cement the deal.