Thursday February 16, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Former Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has described the ongoing 12-day conflict in Las Anod, the administrative capital of the Sool region, as a "great tragedy" and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for dialogue.
Sheikh Sharif lamented that the war has been ongoing in Las Anod for several years, resulting in deaths, injuries, displacement, and destruction of property.
"We have a duty to stop and control the bloodshed of the Somali nation, and we are once again calling for an unconditional end to the fighting in the city of Las Anod. We remind the Somali people and the international community of the most important lessons from the civil war: Clan conflicts can no longer destabilize the region, and military force cannot be used for political purposes. The shedding of Somali blood cannot be tolerated. What is happening in the city of Las Anod can be described as a crime against humanity, a violation of Islamic military jurisprudence, and international legal standards," said Sheikh Sharif.
He also warned that the conflict would lead to further deterioration of social ties and called for immediate action to be taken against all those actively instigating the conflict.
"The ongoing invasion will only cause more death, injury, hatred between the son and his nephew, conflict, and destruction of property. So, I call for an end to the disaster," Sheikh Sharif said.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed highlighted four critical points that could lead to a solution for the ongoing conflict in Las Anod: an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, recalling the Somaliland army from Las Anod, convening an urgent meeting between traditional and religious leaders from the two communities, and increasing political and diplomatic pressure from Somalia's federal government to bring lasting peace to the long-running conflict.