MOGADISHU (SD) – United Nations (UN) has called on the rival group in Somali capital to end violence and returned the negotiating table barely two days after hours long fighting in Mogadishu.

 In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the recent armed clashes between Somali government forces and pro-opposition SNA soldiers in Mogadishu.

“The secretary-general … reiterates his call for all Somali stakeholders to refrain from further violence and resolve their differences through dialogue and compromise,” said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Guterres urged all Somali stakeholders to resume negotiations immediately and forge an agreement based on the Sept. 17, 2020, electoral model and Baidoa technical committee proposals, said the statement.

The United States voiced deep concern over the violence in Mogadishu on Sunday and said it would consider sanctions and visa restrictions to respond to political spoilers.

“The United States is gravely concerned by the violent clashes in Mogadishu. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve their differences peacefully.  Dialogue and consensus are the only ways to resolve the electoral impasse, and we urge parties to resume negotiations at once to arrive at an agreed way forward for immediate elections,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

He added that the US would consider “all available tools” to respond to political spoilers.

“As the Secretary has stated previously, the United States is prepared to consider all available tools, including sanctions and visa restrictions, to respond to efforts to undermine peace and stability in Somalia.”