Scholars from Puntland who are working to mediate between Somaliland and the Northeastern Administration said they hope to achieve a lasting peace agreement, which could serve as a basis for prisoner exchanges, troop withdrawals and the reopening of public movement.
The scholars said they received a warm welcome from Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro, the Peace Commission, scholars and clerics, thanking them for their hospitality in Hargeisa. They also visited prisoners captured in the Lascaanod war who are being held in Hargeisa, saying they saw them in good condition.
“We thank the President of Somaliland and the people for the honorable and respectful welcome we received. We met with the leaders and peace commissions, and we visited the prisoners captured in the Lascaanod war. We saw them in good condition, they were beautiful and confident people,” the scholars said.
They added that the peace efforts began with a meeting of religious scholars in Garowe, where it was decided to play a more active role in resolving Somali conflicts. According to them, they had previously met with the leaders of Puntland and the North East, with whom they discussed ways to accelerate the peace process, and received their support.
The religious scholars called for a comprehensive peace process that included the withdrawal of forces, the release of prisoners, and the reopening of people and trade, in order to reduce the impact of the conflict resulting from the fighting in the Sool region.
The Somaliland government has previously stated that it is ready to achieve a lasting peace with the North East Administration, while the Federal Government of Somalia has called for the release of prisoners and the strengthening of peace efforts.
