Somali parties reach deal to return normalcy in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, May 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somali government and opposition leaders have resolved to reestablish peace and demilitarize the restive capital, Mogadishu, following days of anxiety over the delayed elections in the country.

An 11-member technical committee that released a ten-point deal on Wednesday evening said the troops who were involved in the recent skirmishes in Mogadishu will retain ranks, salaries, and other benefits.

The committee which was appointed by Prime Minister Mohamed Roble on Tuesday to resolve the recent armed clashes between government and pro-opposition forces in Mogadishu agreed on the withdrawal of army mutineers from Mogadishu by Friday.

Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala who read the committee statement also called on warring parties to refrain from issuing inflammatory statements that may incite violence and hatred at a time when the country is preparing to hold elections.

The committee members were six ministers, three senators and two lawmakers.

The prime minister welcomed the historic agreement by the technical committee which he said will pave the way to a consensus-based and transparent electoral process.

Roble also commended efforts to demilitarize Mogadishu and to end the conflict, describing it as a good step towards peace and stability.

“We must all work towards achieving this goal. It is another pleasure for the people of Somalia that we have resolved the demilitarization of Mogadishu. We need the support of the people and politicians,” Roble said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

He encouraged the Somali National Army (SNA) who had vacated their bases in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions to return.

President Mohamed Farmajo has tasked the prime minister with spearheading the process of preparations and the implementation of the electoral process including key election security arrangements to ensure elections take place in a peaceful and stable atmosphere.

Fighting erupted in the Somali capital Mogadishu on April 25 between government and pro-opposition forces over the decision by Lower House on April 12 to extend the mandate of the executive and the legislative arms of government by two years.

However, Farmajo reached out to Parliament which annulled the controversial bill on May 1 and reverted to the September 17, 2020, pre-election model. — NNN-XINHUA