Political end can’t be reached through violence, President Mohamud says

GOOBJOOG NEWS | RIYADH: Federal Republic of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has underscored the need for a two-state solution in resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The president said that after decades of political instability, terrorist violence, and foreign intervention, Somalia has seen a gradual shift toward stabilization, reflected in its recent outreach to African neighbors and the Arab world.

President Mohamud further said that the violence between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas would not address the root causes of a solution can only be achieved through a political agreement between the two sides.

“As Somalis, we have been in an environment of violence for a long time. We know where the violence ends up, and the consequences, and the result at the end of violence. No one can reach a political end by means of violence. It cannot happen,” he said.

Adding, “There is a worldwide accepted solution. Two states, Palestine and Israel, living together side by side, peacefully. And it can happen. It’s possible. Why don’t we go ahead with that?”

For more than a month, the Gaza Strip has been under intense Israeli bombardment in retaliation for the unprecedented October cross-border attack mounted by Hamas on southern Israel, in which 1,400 people were killed, most of them civilians, and 240 taken hostage.

In response, Israel’s bombardment, and subsequent ground operation, has resulted in more than 11,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and the displacement of more than half the population of Gaza.

Somalia has joined the international community in condemning the action taken by Israel saying the action contravenes human rights and the rules of war.

“It’s not about religion only, it’s not about Arab only, and it’s not about regionalism. This is humanity. Children are dying. Mothers are suffering. Innocent civilians are suffering,” Mohamud stated.