Somalia's rivaling states ink ceasefire deal

Somalia's rival states of Puntland and Galmudug have renewed their commitment to peace by signing a ceasefire deal on Monday aimed at ending protracted clashes in the central town of Galkayo.

The deal was signed in the Somali capital Mogadishu between President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of Puntland and President Abdikarim Hussein Guled of Galmudug.

Clashes between forces of the rival states, which first broke out in October, has killed more than 45 people including civilians and displaced over 90,000.

By signing the deal, the state presidents agreed to cease hostilities by withdrawing forces from the disputed town and to build confidence between the two state administrations.

They also agreed on the removal of all roadblocks installed by both states and the opening of roads to allow free movement of people and goods.

Galkayo is currently divided into two districts, with Galmudug governing the south and Puntland the north.

The regional leaders agreed in the deal to implement joint training of police from both north and south Galkayo to strengthen security.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appealed to both leaders to immediately implement the agreement with full commitment to ending violence in Galkayo.

The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia has welcomed the move.

"This renewed commitment to peace and confidence building in Galkayo is a critical step to allow a process to resolve underlying issues that are causing the conflict and to build lasting peace," said Michael Keating, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Somalia.

The regional leaders also agreed to meet in Galkayo later this month to support the implementation of these commitments.

Galkayo has been plagued by recurrent clashes between the neighboring federal states over its control.

Clashes have continued in the past months despite a Nov. 1 ceasefire agreement signed by the regional leaders. Endit