Somalia: Puntland, Galmudug ink deal over Galkayo hostility

GALKAYO, Somalia, December 2, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Federal Government of Somalia’s Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has achieved success in peace deal with regard to Galkayo clashes, a day after the country’s president warned of politicized hostility, Garowe Online reports.

The four-point agreement drawn up by Sharmarke before embarking on mediation efforts is seen ‘crucial’ after warring parties opted for olive branch on Wednesday.

Somalia Prime Minister presided over ceasefire agreement ceremony held at Galkayo airport, with Jubaland leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), Southwest State’s Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, EU envoy Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso and other International Community representatives present.

Interior Minister, Abdirahman Odawa briefed the media on the points, saying Puntland and Galmudug have given consent to; ceasefire, withdrawal of armed elements to earlier positions, return of displaced families and formation of joint committee.

Barbs vs. Optimism

Over the course of the peace deal, Puntland and Galmudug Presidents-Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and Abdikarin Hussein Gulled-were seen trading barbs over the moot point of the conflict.

Speaking on VOA Somali Service, Prime Minister Sharmarke said that he exerted maximum efforts to end the hostility, skipping key conferences in Paris and London.

Sharmarke said, optimism is looming over Galkayo following the clinch of bilateral peace deal between the two arch rivals.

“I praise the two sides for their interest in the agreement, I hope hostility will never re-emerge in Galkayo and points will be honored with immediate effect,” said the Prime Minister.

A technical committee comprising federal ministers, Chief of Defence, Puntland and Galmudug security ministers and Mudug Governors were due to work on the details of the deal as of Wednesday evening.

‘Guns overpowered’

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hailed Galkayo deal ‘historic’ that demonstrates that guns are no longer favored.

“I welcome the historic agreement signed in Galkayo. The deal speaks volume about the political maturity of people and politicians in peace and development fronts,” he said in a statement from his office.

At least 30 people are reported to have been killed in sporadic clashes over the last two weeks, with 40,000 forced out of their homes according to UN relief Agency. 

GAROWE ONLINE