Saturday November 23, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Traditional elders from the Abgaal and Hawaadle clans called for an immediate ceasefire on Friday following deadly clashes between clan militias over grazing land in Somalia’s Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.
The fighting that occurred in Jalalqsi and El-Baraf has killed over a dozen people in recent days.
In a meeting held in Mogadishu, Ugaas Mohamud Ali Ugas, a senior elder, condemned the ongoing conflict and urged communities to prioritize peace. “Sending young men to war and then calling for peace later is not the answer. We must come together now to end this senseless fighting,” he said.
Hirshabelle’s Minister of Interior, Abdi Dahir Guure Karoore, urged intellectuals and community leaders from both clans to actively participate in mediation efforts. “We deeply regret the bloodshed caused by these recurring clashes. Everyone must contribute to stopping the violence and supporting peace,” he said.
No formal peace agreement has yet been reached, but efforts to mediate the conflict are ongoing.