Mogadisho Feb 17, 2023 (SD) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said he cannot accept that people in Laascaanood, Sool, are dying for Somalia’s unity.

The President also urged the residents of Sool region to seek unity peacefully. The Somali President said he does not want to fight with Somaliland, and that he wants to keep the dialogue channels open. However, he added that the Somali government will not compromise on the issue of unity.

This is the second time that Somalia’s President has spoken about the situation in the city of Laascaanood. He has urged for calm, and called for the situation to be resolved through peaceful dialogue.

The President also expressed his sympathy for the people affected by the fighting in the city. The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamse Abdi Barre also spoke about the situation and conflict in the city of Las Anod between the Somaliland and local forces.

PM Hamse emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and urged the government of Muse Bihi to withdraw its forces from the city, where clashes are occurring. Additionally, he noted the need for peaceful negotiations in Las Anod, stating that the conflict in the city has created a dangerous situation with a high risk of violence and casualties.

The President and Prime Minister’s comments comes as fighting erupted in the city of Laascaanood continued into its second week. Witnesses say that heavy gunfire and shelling of various types were heard in different parts of the city.

It is also reported that some areas of Laascaanood have experienced power outages and water shortages due to the conflict, which has caused many civilians to flee the city.

In addition, some businesses and houses have been destroyed, and several people have been injured or killed as a result of the clashes.

The recent fighting in Laascaanood follows a debunked announcement by the outgoing President of Somaliland that he has appointed a team of traditional elders to help mediate a peace agreement between the two warring sides in the region.