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Roundup: UN decries ceasefire violations amid fighting in Somalia town

Xinhua, November 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Top UN envoy in Somalia on Monday condemned renewed fighting in central Somalia town of Galkayo between two rival regional states which has left more than 20 people dead in the past two days.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating also expressed concern about the recent breakdown of the ceasefire and the continuing failure of the Puntland and Galmudug administrations to implement agreements, including the one signed on December 2, 2015 and again on November 1 this year.

Keating who traveled to the Puntland city of Bossaso on Monday and held talks with Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, assured all parties that the international community and the United Nations stand ready to support a meaningful peace and reconciliation process.

"I remain confident that a lasting solution to this long running conflict can be found if all parties act in good faith," Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu after the meeting.

The statement comes as several people are reportedly fleeing their homes fearing further attacks by forces loyal to Somalia's two regional states in northern and central Somalia.

Heavy clashes on Sunday left more than 20 people dead and several others injured. This visit by Keating follows a recent meeting in Mogadishu between the UN envoy and Galmudug President Abdikarim Hussein Guled.

While in Bossaso, Keating and President Gaas held a teleconference with President Guled.

During that discussion, the two state Presidents gave clear orders to their respective military commanders to reinstate the ceasefire with immediate effect.

It was agreed that President Guled, President Gaas and the UN envoy will travel to Galkayo later this week for further discussions on implementing and monitoring the ceasefire, as well as to agree a plan to address key issues that must be resolved to secure lasting peace in Galkayo.

Keating said failure to implement the ceasefire and find a peaceful solution to the crisis will not only cause further suffering for the population of Galkayo, but will also escalate tensions that extremists could exploit.

A successful resolution would foster a more positive dynamic between the two regional administrations and bring political as well as practical benefits for Somalia. Endit