UN concerned by unrest in Mogadishu

The United Nations expressed concern over the clashes between government and opposition forces in Somalia, and urged the fighting sides to exercise restraint.

In a statement the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which was established in 2013 and located in the capital, Mogadishu, urged “all parties to exercise utmost restraint and calm.”

The statement added that “confrontations cannot be a solution to an unresolved political crisis,” calling on the parties to the dispute to quickly return to the path of negotiation.

Last night, Mogadishu witnessed violent clashes between government and opposition forces, which led to the death of four people and wounded ten others, according to medical sources.

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A cautious calm reigned in Mogadishu this morning, after the cessation of clashes, as life returned to normal, movement resumed and shops opened.

In turn, the Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble said in a radio statement today that “dialogue and sitting at the negotiating table is the best way to resolve disputes.”

The country has been witnessing a state of political tension since the failure of negotiations between the government and heads of federal states on holding parliamentary and presidential elections. This escalated after parliament extended the term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo for two additional years, a move rejected by the opposition.