MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali government has announced new plans to end the heightened political tensions in Beledweyne town of Hiiraan region in central Somalia.
On Sunday, two people including a civilian were killed and several other wounded in fighting between Somali forces and fighters loyal to a renegade general, Abukar Hud in the town.
The situation still remains tense at the moment, with the sides amassing forces, a signal indicating the possibility of fresh fighting in the town.
Hud and his faction have been protesting the election of Ali Guudlaawe as the president of HirShabelle arguing his election violated clan power matrix which dictated a new president should have come from Hiiraan region.
In a statement, Somali interior ministry said the government is carrying out efforts to review and address the concerns of the locals in the area.
The ministry has called for calm, urging to work on stabilization of the region.
“The ministry calls on elders, peace activists, religious leaders, business people, women and youth to stand together and work together to restore and strengthen stability as the country heads to the polls and Beledweyne is one of the designated places to host the election,” the statement reads in part.
General Hud had denounced last November election held in HirShabelle state as a sham that violated the gentlemen’s agreement between the two major clans in the region.
Discussion about this post