Somali Deputy Prime Minister, Mahdi Mohamed Guled has urged the authorities of Somaliland and Puntland states to engage in dialogue to resolve the dispute in Tukaraq.
Over 20 people were killed and dozens of other sustained injuries in Tukaraq town after forces loyal to both states in Northern Somalia clashed over a border dispute.
Speaking to the media, Guled asked leaders and elders to stand up for peace and create room for dialogue. “I urge both Somaliland and Puntland (States) to resolve their differences peacefully”
“There is no need of bloodshed at this moment. There are no gain in fighting, please change the hostilities with peace,” he said.
He enjoined the leaders and elders to negotiate for peace and agreeable coexistence.
Reports from Sool region indicate that there are more military hardware and personnel deployed by Puntland and Somaliland was seen around Tukaraq.
Both Somaliland and Puntland claim the ownership of the two disputed regions, Sool and Sanag.
Hargeisa base its claims on the imaginary boundaries set by the British during the colonial period as Puntland’s claim is based on clans agreement inked during the formation of the state two decades ago.
Somaliland declared independence from the rest of Somalia on 18th May 1991 but has not yet achieved any formal international recognition as sovereign state.
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