Galmudug and Ethiopia’s Somali regional presidents hold talks on recent clashes

The president of Galmudug state, Abdikarin Hussein Guleed is in Jigjiga town to hold talks with Ethiopia’s Somali regional president Abdi Mohamed Omar over clashes between Somali clans and Ethiopia’s paramilitary police unit in villages near border between Somalia and Ethiopia.

The meeting follows several accusations against the Ethiopian paramilitary unit, Liyuu police of killings and destruction of property. At least 50 people were killed by Liyuu police last year and 200 houses set on fire.

The two leaders are trying to iron out the recurrent clashes which displaced hundreds of people from homes.

Last week, Former Galmudug assistant minister for information Ahmed Shire Falagle accused the Liyuu force of using “excessive force” and killing of several civilians in Galgaduud region.

“The Liyuu Police Unit launched an attack on innocent civilians. They are attacking villagers and killing people who keep livestock,” said Falagle last week.

According to residents of the villages occupied by the Ethiopian troops, houses burnt, property was destroyed and looted as many live stocks were taken away by the Ethiopian troops, with the locals accusing the much feared Liyuu Police in particular.

The “Liyuu Police” and the Ethiopian administration have long been accused of ruthlessness, lawlessness, cracking down on ethnic Somalis in the region and violating human rights.

They’ve also been accused of often crossing into Somalia and committing crimes in border villages.