(16-Feb-23) Mogadishu, Somalia – In a post on his Facebook page, Ahmed expressed his deep concern over the escalating violence, which has now been raging for 12 days with no sign of resolution. He called for an immediate end to the fighting and warned against using military force for political purposes.
Ahmed also reminded the international community and the Somali people of the lessons learned from the civil war in the country, urging them not to resort to violence to resolve political differences.
“The shedding of Somali blood cannot be tolerated,” he said. “What is happening in Lasanood can be described as crimes against humanity and a violation of international conventions and rules.”
The former president’s comments come as the conflict in Lasanood, which began as a dispute over regional elections, shows no signs of abating. The situation has already led to significant displacement of civilians and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Ahmed’s call for an end to the violence and his condemnation of the conflict as a “crime against humanity” highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Lasanood. It is hoped that his words will be heeded and that the situation can be de-escalated before more lives are lost and the humanitarian crisis worsens.
