Acting Speaker Calls for Peace After Deadly Clan Clashes in Hiraan

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Acting Speaker of Somalia’s House of the People, Sadiya Yasin Haji Samatar, has called for an immediate end to renewed clan fighting in parts of the central Hiraan region, warning that continued violence threatens peace, social cohesion and the well-being of local communities.

In a statement, Sadiya, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament, expressed concern over recent clashes between rival communities in Jalalaqsi district, describing the conflict as a serious matter that requires urgent attention from all stakeholders.

“The tragic fighting that occurred between brotherly communities living in the same area in Jalalaqsi district of Hiraan region is a serious matter that cannot be ignored or met with silence,” she said. “It undermines peace, social cohesion and the future of the local population.”

The appeal comes amid renewed tensions in parts of Hiraan, where recurring disputes over resources, land, grazing rights and local grievances have periodically triggered deadly clashes between communities despite repeated reconciliation efforts by elders and government officials.

Sadiya urged traditional elders, religious leaders, community representatives, the Hirshabelle regional administration and residents to work together to halt the violence and pursue dialogue as a means of resolving the dispute.

She said parliament remained supportive of efforts aimed at ending the bloodshed and promoting reconciliation among the affected communities.

“As the leadership of the House of the People, we reaffirm our support for every effort aimed at stopping the bloodshed and strengthening peace and brotherhood among the local communities,” she said.

The latest fighting comes at a time when the federal government of Somalia are seeking to stabilize areas recovered from the militant group Al-Shabaab and strengthen local governance structures across central regions of the country. Analysts say unresolved clan disputes continue to pose a challenge to broader efforts aimed at improving security and development in several parts of Somalia.

While the exact number of casualties from the recent clashes remains unclear, local leaders and officials have been working to broker a ceasefire and prevent the conflict from spreading to neighbouring areas.

Concluding her appeal, Sadiya stressed that preserving peace and preventing further violence was a shared responsibility, calling on all parties to prioritize the public interest and peaceful coexistence over competing local interests.

The renewed violence in Hiraan highlights the continuing challenge facing Somali authorities and community leaders as they seek to address lo