The top UN envoy in Somalia has called on Somalia’s two warring regional states to stick to a ceasefire agreement to help end fighting which has claimed 45 lives in the past six weeks.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, Michael Keating said personal commitment of Presidents Abdiweli Mohamed Ali “Gaas” of Puntland and Abdikarim Hussein Guled of Galmudug is encouraging, but must be accompanied by full realization of the agreements
“Violations of the agreement are unacceptable, and indeed those responsible will be held accountable,” Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu on Sunday.
The statement comes after Somali leaders led by Prime Minister Sharmarke and international partners attended crisis talks on a ceasefire in Galkayo on Saturday where they agreed a way forward to resolve the conflict.
During the meeting, the two regional presidents re-committed to a ceasefire in the disputed city under the leadership of Sharmarke,
Keating said the meeting was very significant, noting that the United Nations and international partners will support an agreement and practical arrangements to stop the fighting immediately, ensure sustained dialogue and help local communities as well as Puntland and Galmudug to resolve their differences, and further its swift implementation.
“Extremists and other rejectionists have an interest in undermining peace. This must not be allowed to happen,” said Keating who was accompanied by the United Nations, the European Union, African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) officials.