MOGADISHU, Somalia — Deadly clashes in the central town of Gaalkayo have intensified Somalia’s political tensions, prompting former President Sheikh Sharif to condemn the violence and call for an immediate halt to the fighting.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Sheikh Sharif expressed condolences to those affected by the unrest and placed responsibility for what he called Somalia’s deepening political crisis and armed conflict on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He singled out Gaalkayo, in the Mudug region, as a particularly concerning flashpoint.
Sheikh Sharif also alleged that the government was using national security forces for political purposes rather than concentrating state resources on the campaign against the militant group Al-Shabaab. He warned that such deployments could widen existing divisions across Somali society.
The former president appealed to Somalis to protect peace and social cohesion, saying political disagreements should be settled through dialogue and reconciliation instead of violence.
He said Somalia urgently needed political stability, compromise and national unity to contain further tensions and protect the country’s security and cohesion.
The federal government had not immediately responded to Sheikh Sharif’s comments.
AXADLETM
