MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Traditional elders in Sanaag region have called on called for the ceasefire hours after deadly clashes in Puntland’s capital, Garowe claimed lives of at least ten.
According to a statement, the elders urged the leader of Puntland state and Puntland parliament speaker to suspend the parliament sessions while conflict issues are addressed.
“We urge both warring sides to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table. We also call on both the president and the leadership of the parliament to halt proceedings of the proposed constitutional review,” the statement reads in part.
Sources in Garowe this morning confirmed that the parliament continued debating on the controversial amendment of the constitution that caused Tuesday’s bloody battle.
The fierce clashes in the state capital, Garowe, erupted during a parliamentary session to debate changes to the local constitution, which the opposition politicians said is a bid for an “illegal” term extension by the Puntland state President Said Abdullahi Deni.
The state parliament made an announcement on Tuesday, approving the amendment to the constitution. Only 35 of the 66 state parliamentarians attended the meeting.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre expressed condolences to the families of those who died in Tuesday’s fighting in Garowe.
Barre urged Puntland leaders and the opposition to end the conflict “immediately” and called for dialogue to resolve the dispute “rather than the barrel of a gun”.
Garowe is located 915 kilometres from the Somali capital Mogadishu.
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