UN mediated peace talks start in Galkaayo as death toll hits 45

Leaders of Galmudug and Puntland meet today in Galkaayo under the auspices of the UN to hammer out a peace deal following month long clashes in the region that have killed at least 45 people and displaced 90,000 others according to UN reports.

UN special envoy for Somalia Michael Keating will be leading the discussions which also include the Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid and senators elect from Galmudug and Puntland.

Despite a teleconference between Keating and leaders of both sides whom the UN said had agreed to a ceasefire, tension has been reported in the area with cases of displacements still reported.

“During that discussion, the two state Presidents gave clear orders to their respective military commanders to reinstate the ceasefire with immediate effect. These orders were accepted by General Said and Colonel Qooje in the presence of the Prime Minister and SRSG Keating,” UN Support Office for Somalia, UNSOM said last Monday.

The talks follow a collapsed peace deal in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago. Another peace deal mediated by the international community and the federal government last December did not bear much fruit as militias from Galmudug and Puntland engaged in a deadly fight since October killing dozens and displacing thousands from their homes.

The UN humanitarian agency, UNOCHA says 25 per cent of those killed were civilians and that upto 20,000 school children have not been able to continue studies in various learning centres owing to the disruption. The agency adds there at least 69 cases of suspected cholera in Bandiiredley, Docol, Galinsoor, Wargalo and Xaar-xaarka villages near south Gaalkacyo but no deaths reported.