Hiiraan Online
Monday, November 23, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) -Elders in the central Somali town of Galkayo have signed a ceasefire deal Monday after deadly clashes between forces from Puntland and its neighboring Galmudug state on Sunday that left at least 10 people dead on Sunday.
The clashes that involved trucks mounted with machine guns and anti-aircraft rockets erupted after an argument involving the construction of a new road by Galmudug state in the town, which was halted by Puntland forces.
Local elders from two sides who started ceasefire negotiations signed the deal under which the two sides are required to pull out their forces from the front lines and start negotiations to avoid further clashes.
No comment could be reached from officials from the two states on the ceasefire which elders believe could help hundreds of residents who fled their homes during Sunday'sclashes to return.
In the meantime, calm has returned to town as residents started to gradually reopen their businesses and traffic movements resumed.
Galmudug blamed Puntland president of orchestrating the fighting which has put the town on lockdown, an accusation dismissed by the Puntland government.
Galkayo town is divided into two zones, where the northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern part is governed by the Galmudug administration.