Warring forces in Bosaso turn deaf ear on ceasefire calls as fighting enters third day

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BOSASO: Heavy fighting resumed last night in Bosaso city resulting in further displacement of civilians and damage of several houses amid ceasefire calls by the Puntland government.

Sources in the coastal city said fighting is now concentrated in ​​Suweyto and Ridwan neighborhood near the PSF headquarters.

Meanwhile Puntland government has reiterated its earlier stance accusing sacked Puntland Security Forces commandant Mohamed Diano of inciting violence.

““The Puntland government in Somalia has always been committed to upholding the rule of law. The Puntland government declares that the former PSF director is inciting violence in Bossaso, indiscriminately shelling the city with PSF assets expected to hand over power, ” a statement from the presidency read in part.

The PSF command led by Diano yesterday said its forces were attacked by forces loyal to Deni noting it was ‘saddened’ by displacement of populations. Security Minister Abdisamad Gallan Wednesday called for a ceasefire but fighting still went on later in the day. “We are appealing to anyone working for peace that we are ready to accept any effort that is not against law, which can lead to cease-fire,” Gallan said.

Outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo has also for the first time broken its silence over the Bossaso conflict. In a statement, Farmaajo called for an immediate end to the fighting and urged Puntland’s traditional elders to hold dialogues in a bid of ending the violence and ensure the stability of the region and the interests of the people of Puntland.