Clashes renew in Galkayo amid mediations by Somalia PM

GALKAYO, Somalia, November 28, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Confrontations between Puntland and Galmudug troops renewed in central Somalia town of Galkayo amidst mediation efforts, Garowe Online reports.

Somalia Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke is seeking to mollify rekindled deadly violence in a visit to Puntland capital, Garowe and central Adado town.

Before arriving at Garowe Airport where he was received by Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister Sharmarke made stopover in Adado for talks with Galmudug leader, Abdikarin Hussein Gulled.

Sharmarke focuses more on lasting solution to recurrent clashes in Galkayo.

Over a week after intense gun battle left five dead and as many as 50 wounded, gunfire has been heard near Galkayo’s Darhumo market on Saturday morning.

Puntland and Galmudug soldiers were sighted firing shots at closer range at security checkpoint in tiny south, with volleys of gunfire raging on afterwards.

Visit yielding initial breakthrough

In advance of his return to Mogadishu, Sharmarke sealed a three-point agreement between Puntland and Galmudug.

Among the preliminary points are cessation of conflict and implementation of ceasefire, formation of joint committee comprising Somalia Federal Government, Puntland and Galmudug, and the repatriation of those displaced in the week-long hostility.

Discussions initially risked collapse as a result of Puntland’s tough insistence over moot points of  clashes.

On Saturday, Sharmarke who was due to meet traditional leaders in Galkayo cut short his trip for unknown reasons.

The Prime Minister has arrived back in Mogadishu.

Last week, gun battle flared up after Galmudug militiamen attacked masons overseeing the construction of road straddling a key junction between Garsoor and Barahley neighborhoods.

On Friday, credible intelligence sources told GO that planes loaded with huge arms consignment poured for Galmudug for escalating row with Puntland. 

GAROWE ONLINE