Somali president lauds peace deal between warring states

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday lauded leaders from the two warring regional states for signing a peace agreement to end clashes for the control of northern Somali city of Galkayo.

The leaders of Galmudug and Puntland administrations, Abdikarim Hussein Guled and Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, respectively signed peace deal on Wednesday after two weeks of clashes between security forces, which left at least 20 dead and several injuries.

The warring regions agreed to immediate ceasefire, to separate armed forces and bring each to their early positions, to bring displaced people back to the town, and set a joint committee from the federal government, regional leaders and international community seeking final solution to the conflict.

"I welcome this historic peace deal signed in Galkayo. This deal shows the political maturity of our people and leaders towards promoting peace and development," Mohamud said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The president said any social dispute must be solved through dialogue, and that Somalia is no longer a place where civilians solve their problems at the point of a gun barrel.

Mohamud thanked Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmaarke and all those who supported the mediation to resolve the crisis. Sharmarke, leading a government delegation, arrived in the Galkayo Sunday to help broker a peace.

The two warring sides clashes two weeks ago in Galkayo city of Mudug region, which is controlled by the two administrations, Galmudud in southern parts and Puntland in northern parts. Enditem