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Somali clans reach fragile ceasefire after deadly violence near Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle border
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    Tuesday December 3, 2024


    Community elders, security personnel, and local leaders gather during negotiations that led to a ceasefire agreement between rival clans in the Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle border region.

    Mogadishu (HOL) — A tense standoff between two Somali clans has ended with a fragile ceasefire brokered by local authorities, offering a glimmer of hope for communities ravaged by violence. The Hawadle and Abgaal clans, whose militias clashed in deadly skirmishes along the Hiiraan-Middle Shabelle border, have agreed to halt hostilities following intense negotiations led by Hiiraan Governor Muse Salad Wehliye.

    The agreement comes after weeks of bloodshed in contested areas near Jalalaqsi and El Baraf, where families fled their homes as gunfire shattered the fragile calm. Speaking from the negotiation site, Wehliye lauded elders for their willingness to engage in dialogue, urging both sides to honour the truce. “This is a chance to heal longstanding wounds and refocus on the real enemy—extremists who thrive on our divisions,” he said.

    Somali National Army officers have been deployed to enforce the ceasefire, a move seen as critical to preventing renewed violence. The governor stressed that reconciliation must go beyond words, calling for practical steps to address the root causes of inter-clan conflicts, including disputes over land and power.

    The cyclical nature of these feuds has long hampered progress in Hirshabelle State, a region scarred by civil strife and clan rivalries. Observers note that while the ceasefire is a positive step, lasting peace hinges on sustained efforts to foster trust and rebuild fractured relationships.

    “The truce isn’t just about peace agreements—it’s about survival,” said a local elder who mediated the talks. “If we don’t unite now, our communities risk losing everything.”

    The truce offers a sliver of hope for families displaced by the fighting. Many remain skeptical, having witnessed similar accords collapse under the weight of unresolved grievances. “We’ve seen this before,” said Halima Ahmed, a mother of five who is sheltering in a nearby town. “The gunfire may stop, but unless we see real change, this peace won’t last.”

     





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