Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has spoken about the protests that took place in the town of Boorama in Awdal region, describing the violence that resulted from the protests as inappropriate for a peaceful environment.
President Deni expressed his condolences to those who died in the protests while speaking to the media in Garowe tonight, two days after returning from a trip to the UAE.
Deni said that disputes and grievances in society cannot be resolved through military force, but need to be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions.
“I express my condolences for the violence that occurred in Boorama that resulted in deaths. It was truly an inappropriate matter. I call for a solution to be sought for everything without resorting to violence,” said the Puntland President.
The Puntland President’s statement comes at a time when Somaliland and Puntland have recently expressed a new understanding on maintaining peace and stability, following talks and a preliminary agreement between the two sides in Kenya.
More than 20 people have died and nearly 50 have been injured in violent protests in the town of Boorama in recent days, which erupted when residents refused to hold a celebration of the Isis law in the town of Saylac, a law unique to the Isis clans living in Saylac.
Somaliland forces have been accused of using gunfire to disperse the protesters, which later forced some of them to take out their weapons.
