(13 Mar 2025) GAROWE (Halqabsi News) – Puntland President Saciid Cabdullaahi Deni has called for an immediate ceasefire between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo after recent clashes in Buq-dharkayn and Dureera valley near Ceerigaabo. Somaliland claims independence, though it remains internationally unrecognized, while SSC-Khatumo seeks autonomy in the contested Sool region.
Speaking in Garowe, Deni confirmed that Puntland dispatched a delegation of traditional elders and religious leaders to mediate the Dureera valley conflict, where inter-clan violence has displaced hundreds. “All sides must heed neutral mediation. War solves nothing,” he stated.
In Buq-dharkayn, where Somaliland forces and SSC-Khatumo troops clashed last week over territorial control, Deni urged restraint: “Communities must coexist peacefully within their lands. Prolonged fighting will only deepen the crisis.”
He drew parallels to global conflicts, adding, “Even Ukraine and Russia now pursue ceasefires. Somalia’s conflicts, too, demand dialogue.”
The Sool region, long a flashpoint of territorial disputes, remains contested. SSC-Khatumo seeks self-rule, rejecting both Somaliland and Puntland’s authority. Puntland’s mediation reflects its stance on regional stability, though Somaliland has not officially responded to the peace initiative.
Local reports estimate that over 2,000 families have fled the violence. “We lost livestock and homes. Let the elders negotiate before more die,” said Farah Ali, a displaced herder in Ceerigaabo.
Puntland’s peace bid follows failed AU-led talks in 2023, highlighting the fragility of northern Somalia’s territorial disputes.
Halqabsi News
