UN welcomes signing of power sharing deal in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating, has welcomed the signing of power-sharing deal between Galmudug administration and moderate Islamic group, Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a in central Somalia.

Keating in a statement issued on Thursday night lauded the role played by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in facilitating meetings in Nairobi and Djibouti between the two parties.

"This is good news for the people of Galmudug and for all Somalis. Resolving conflicts through dialogue is the best way forward," he added.

The power-sharing agreement was signed by Galmudug State President Ahmed Duale Ghelle and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) leader Sheikh Shakir.

The agreement which was signed at Villa Somalia was witnessed by Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo" and Prime Minister Hassan Khaire as well as the country's federal member state presidents.

Keating said the power sharing deal was a significant step towards forming a viable, unified administration in Galmudug.

The parties had not met since the formation of Galmudug state in July 2015, but reached a breakthrough during a workshop held in Djibouti earlier this month.

Keating who noted that outstanding issues still need to be addressed encouraged all stakeholders -- including the two parties, the central government, local representatives and authorities, assembly members and civil society -- to maintain momentum to finalize and implement the agreement.

The regional bloc has played a mediation role in bringing together the rival sides in Galmudug, a federal member state in central Somalia established in 2014.

Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Islamist group is opposed to Al-Shabaab militant group but sympathetic to the central government. Enditem