He demanded that the end be “immediate” and “unconditional” and he implored the elders and leaders to negotiate for “peace and an agreeable co-existence,” condemning both sides of the conflict.
Farmajo urges officials, traditional elders, religious leaders, civil society groups, women, and youth to stand for the solution of the ongoing battle. “The hostilities in Tuka-raq must cease immediately, it has already caused death and damage, it is senseless and must stop,” reads the presidential statement. He also offered his condolences to the families who lost loved ones and prays for the quick recovery of those who are wounded.
Troops from the regions are clashing in the village of Tuka-Raq in the Sool region. Tuka-Raq is about 90 kilometers from the city of Garowe which is an administrative capital of Putnam.
The fighting broke out early on Tuesday in and around the town. Full-scale fighting took place between the two forces with each side claiming the other started the clashes. According to VOA journalist Harun Maruf who has been extensively covering the conflicts in the area, “Sources say neither side made territorial gains despite rival claims.”
The office of Puntland’s president, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, issued a statement accusing Somaliland of launching an “unprovoked” attack on its territory, while local media reports that Somaliland is accusing Puntland of attacking their positions. Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi claimed victory in the fighting and lays the blame on the Somali government, accusing it of launching a “naked invasion” against his administration.
Both sides have claimed that there have been many deaths but neither has given actual figures. Both also claim to have the upper-hand in the battle. It has been said that the troops are using heavy artillery weapons, displacing almost the entire population of the town.
The territorial dispute between Puntland and Somaliland has been going on for quite some time now over northern Somali provinces of Sool, Sanaag, and Caan. The dispute stems from when Puntland formed and declared part of the Somaliland region as part of their territory in 1998.
Puntland lays claim to these areas based on kinship ties with the regions dominant clan, the Darod. On the other hand, Somaliland lays claim based on original bounds of the British Somaliland protectorate, to which the state regards itself as a successor. Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 when the Somali civil war broke out but has not been formally recognized internationally as a sovereign state.
The conflict over Sool has been continuing for over ten years. The province is claimed as sovereign territory by both regions. There have been attempts in the past to create a functioning administration out of the three provinces, known as “SSC”, but the dream did not come to fruition.
Farmajo was elected as Somalia’s president was peacefully elected about a year ago and remains popular across clans. He served as prime minister for ten months between November 2010 and June 2011, before being elected as president in 2017. Since being elected he has made efforts to reduce corruption, which was one of his main campaign slogans and has plans to achieve universal suffrage in 2021.
Farmajo promised to restore dignity to the nation but warned that this would take at least another two decades because of the challenges ahead and the country’s limited resources.
Featured image via Wikimedia.
