UN: Two Somali Regions Settle Dispute
September 06, 2011
VOA News
The United Nations says two regions of Somalia have agreed to peacefully settle a dispute and take steps to prevent further hostilities.
The leaders of neighboring Galmudug and Puntland states agreed to the truce Monday, during a conference in Mogadishu to create a roadmap for elections in Somalia.
Their dispute stems from tribal clashes in Puntland state last week that killed at least 27 people.
Puntland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud, known as "Farole" accused the president of Galmudug state of aiding one of the clans.
The U.N. special envoy to Somalia said the two regions agreed to set aside their differences "in a spirit of brotherly reconciliation" and to preserve the Somali peace process. Envoy Augustine Mahiga said the regions are located on the front lines of the Somali government's fight against extremists and terrorists.
The government is trying to push back militant group al-Shabab, which wants to set up an Islamic state in Somalia. The group recently pulled its fighters from the capital after an offensive by government and African Union forces.
It was a rare success for the Somali transitional government, which has been largely paralyzed by infighting since its formation seven years ago.
Somalia has suffered through 20 years of war and lawlessness since the fall of the country's last stable government.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP..
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