GAROWE, Somalia – The United Nations has called on the Puntland government to play its role in the efforts to end the war between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo in the Sool region.
The announcement was made by the UN envoy for Somalia Catriona Liang who visited Garowe city on Saturday, where she had a meeting with the president of Puntland Deni.
“We call on Puntland to play its part in encouraging both sides to resolve their differences peacefully to ensure that conflict does not rise again,” said Liang during a press conference.
She also praised Puntland for hosting more than 100,000 civilians who were displaced during the LasAnod battle that raged on for at least eight months this year.
On the Puntland election crisis
The UN Special Representative said that for peaceful elections, there is a need for a consensus among a variety of social groups in Puntland, including opposition leaders, elders, the youth, women, and scholars.
“Hopefully, a peaceful election will enhance Puntland’s reputation as an island of stability where investors can do business, and development prospects enable the people of Puntland to have a good future,” said the top United Nations diplomat.
Puntland stakeholders are in a deadlock over the electoral process. The opposition wants a clan-based system while the president vowed to hold a popular vote early next year, 2024.
Deni whose five-year term is expiring by January 2024 is facing internal pressure to hold a timely election after the state polls agency announced a month-delay in the voting date.
