Traditional elders call for an end to Baladweyn clan fighting

Traditional elders have appealed an immediate a ceasefire in a tribal fighting in Baladweyne town of central Somalia that killed several people for the past one week.

The fighting between clan militias started after land and pasture dispute between sub-clans which has led to deadly fighting which displaced hundreds of residents including women and children.

Elder, Ahmed Hassan said that without pre conditions that the warring sides should stop the hostilities and bloodshed in the region.

“We should take any necessary steps to stop the bloodshed in Baladweyne town,” said Hassan.

The two clans have fought over the region several times in the past, and while the Somali government has been able to mediate between the groups, a lasting ceasefire has never been achieved.

Somalia has seen many deadly clan conflicts since warlords overthrew the central government led by the late Somali president Siad Barre. The wars, which began as struggle for control of the government, quickly degenerated into predatory looting, banditry, and occupation of valuable real estate by conquering clan militias.

Young gunmen fought principally to secure war booty, and were under only the loosest control of militia commanders, according to a 2005 report by the World Bank.

The collapse of the central state led to fragmentation and an economy of plunder that brought leaders into conflict with other leaders, sometimes from the same clan, vying for control of the same local area and resources.