Do not politicise Galkaayo peace process, president warns

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned the warring factions not to politicise the peace process and urged all disputes to resolved through peaceful negotiation.

He said leaders were chosen in the belief that they would serve people so they must be mindful that Allah holds them responsible for their actions.

“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.’’ he said.
He emphasized 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

“It is a tragedy of the highest order to see the continuation of unnecessary bloodshed of the Somali people in the recent clashes in Galkaayo” he said.

The President has asked the Puntland and Galmudug administrations to fully engage with the mediation process led by Prime Minister Sharma’arke..

Thirty people have been killed and 40,0oo others displaced 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.