Mogadishu, 30 November 2015: The President and Commander-in-Chief of National Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Somalia, HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the wake of clashes between the Puntland and Galmudug administrations in Gaalkacyo in central Somalia.
“It is a tragedy of the highest order to see the continuation of unnecessary bloodshed of the Somali people in the recent clashes in Gaalkacyo. The fighting should stop and all disputes resolved through peaceful negotiation,’’ said the President.
The President has sent condolences to the families and the relatives of those who were killed or wounded in the conflict.
“Allah’s mercy be upon those who died in this terrible fighting. On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, and personally, I express my deepest concern and heartfelt sadness and disbelief I feel, when I see or hear the deaths and displacement of Somali people in yet another unnecessary fight. All our efforts should be in building people up to participate meaningfully in the reconstruction of our country, not wasting their lives in fighting. We must be mindful that Allah holds us responsible for our actions, and we must consider daily the right or wrongfulness of the things we do.’’
The President said that in light of the seriousness of the Gaalkacyo conflict that the Government moved quickly to launch immediate mediation discussions, led by the Prime Minister, HE Omar Abdirashid Sharma’arke.
“Any kind of conflict that is created is an obstruction to national recovery efforts and to the important tasks we have ahead of us. It interrupts our National Consultation process to determine an electoral model for 2016, and vital reconciliation, stabilization and reconstruction programs. We cannot accomplish our goal – to see Somalia standing on her own feet – without peace.’’
The President has asked the Puntland and Galmudug administrations to fully engage with the mediation process led by Prime Minister Sharma’arke. He added that the Government will not tolerate shedding the blood of the Somali people, who are thirsty for peace, after suffering of chaos and insecurity for more than two decades.
–ENDS–
Daud Aweis
Spokesperson,
Office of the President
Federal Republic of Somalia
Email: [email protected]
www.villasomalia.gov.so
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