President warns of consequences, Galmudug accuses Puntland of truce violation

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has warned Galmudug and Puntland of dire consequences over civilian killings in Galkaayo as Galmudug accuses its neighbour Puntland of violating the terms of the ceasefire pact signed yesterday.

“It is unfortunate that with respect to the pledge yesterday by leaders of both sides the war has not stopped. I would like to remind the leaders of Puntland and Galmudug that the shedding of the blood of people will be met with consequences. This impunity must end,” the president said in a terse statement today.

The president ordered the leaders of Puntland and Galmudug to work with the Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmake to resolve the differences and stop the fighting forthwith.

The president’s statement comes barely 24 hours after he hailed the peace agreement yesterday as historic and instrumental in restoring peace in Galkaayo.

“I welcome this historic peace deal signed in Gaalkacyo. This deal shows the political maturity of our people and leaders towards promoting peace and development,” the president said yesterda.

This morning both sides clashed again breaking the terms of the truce with reports of sustained shelling in Galkaayo town.

Galmudug has accused Puntland of reversing gains made through the pact and resorting to mortar shelling.

“Galmudug State hereby wishes to inform the Somali people, the Somali Federal Government and the International Community that Puntland, despite signing the four-point agreement yesterday violated the ceasefire,” read a statement from the Galmudug presidency.

The Galmudug presidency said  Puntland was deploying tanks, artillery and mortars indiscriminately in southern Galkaayo in violation of yesterday’s agreement adding that the move by Puntland was part of a larger scheme of things to frustrated the federalisation process in the country.

“The continued provocation by Puntland is part of larger scheme designed to undermine Galmudug state-building efforts towards decentralization, security sector reform, dislodging Shabaab and to continue the dialogue with ASWJ’s (Ahlu-sunna Wal Jamaa) military wing in Dhuusamareeb,” said Galmudug.

Earlier, European Union envoy Michele CervoneDurso warned the two sides of consequences calling on them to abide by the terms of the agreement. In a twee, CervoneDurso said both sides have to be serious and implement the terms of the pact to the latter.

Goobjoog FM substation in Galkaayo was hit this morning by a mortar shell cutting off transmission.