Somalia: IGAD brokers peace talks between Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna

NAIROBI, Kenya - Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is trying to broker peace deal between Galmudug, a Federal state in central Somalia and its rival Ahlu Sunna group, Garowe Online

Delegations led by the leaders of the two sides left Mogadishu for Nairobi on Friday to attend the IGAD-brokered talks expected to kick off in Nairobi, Kenya in this week, according to the sources.

A range of issues, including a power-sharing will dominate their forthcoming meeting, which becomes the first to be held outside Somalia since the impasse in Galmudug regional state began in 2014.

Ahlu Sunna, a moderate paramilitary militant group which controls large swathes of territory in Galgadud region has previously declined to open direct talks with Galmudug leader in Mogadishu on the request of President Farmajo in May.

The group put conditions on the move to join Galmudug, including financial compensation for their bloody battle with Al Shabaab to liberate major towns in central Somalia.

This IGAD initiative comes amid faces numerous challenges in the region, mainly the opposition of Ahlu Sunna and the presence of Al Shabaab in parts of its territory.

GAROWE ONLINE