Somaliland President Holds Talks With Puntland Leader Over Deadly Clashes On Border Area

Deni, Muse Bihi

HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has held talks with the leader of Somalia’s northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland Saeed Abdullahi Deni amid deadly clashes on a border area claimed by both administrations, Somaliland Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed said on Sunday.

Kahin said he had spoken to his Puntland counterpart on renewed clashes between clans cohabiting in border towns and denied claims that authorities of the break-away state played a role in stoking the violence, calling for de-escalation by both warring clan militias.

At least 10 people were killed and more than 20 others wounded in the clashes that erupted in Bo’ame and Birta dheer towns in Sool and Nugal regions, on a disputed border area between Somaliland and Puntland.

Somaliland Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin said Bo’ame is located inside Somaliland border and authorities would work to restore calm in the area in cooperation with the neighboring Puntland regional state. Somaliland maintains security cooperation with the neighboring Puntland and will continue to strengthen relations, he added.

Last week, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi accused Somalia’s embattled leader Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo of igniting fighting in the commercial port city of Bosaso, saying the conflict impacted territory under his administration’s control after dozens of people sustaining injuries from the infighting had been admitted to hospitals in Hargeisa.

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