Negotiation team calls for bufferzone in Galkaayo as talks continue

The negotiation team at the ongoing peace process in Galkaayo has called for the creation of a 60-km buffer zone on the disputed area as an interim measure, a member of parliament attending the talks has told Goobjoog News.

Federal MP Fadhaaye said as a condition to minimize the causalities on civilians living in the town has been reached at following intense discussions led by Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid. The team is said to have called for the creation of a buffer zone in the area connecting Galmudug and Puntland.

This therefore means Puntland forces will have to retreat 30km away from the town and the closest they can set base will be Doal village while Galmudug forces will do the same from Ba’adweyn locality inwards.

“We discussed with Galmudug administration on a wide range of issues including cease fire, the removal of the forces from the frontline and creation of buffer zone and they accepted.We are now heading to Puntland side for similar dicussions” said Fadhaaye.

It was not clear if the whole of the proposed demilitarized land would be accepted by Puntland leaders.

Meanwhile Galmudug administration has handed over nine Puntland soldiers who were reportedly captured during the clash in Galkaayo and will be under the PM’s custody pending official return to Puntland.

“We have handed over nine soldiers of Puntland to the premier because these boys are our brothers, we have treated them well during the time in our hands” said Galmudug president, Abdikarin Hassan Guled.

Fifty people have been killed since the clashes between Galmudug and Puntland started on 22nd this month following a disagreement over the construction of a road in Galkaayo town by Puntland administration.