Int’l community calls on Somaliland to withdraw forces from Tukaraq

[Deeq A.]

The president of Somaliland Musa Bihi Abdi has dismissed the statement from the Int’l Community in conjunction with the United Nations to withdraw its forces from Tukaraq, a town Somaliland army took control after it overpowered Puntland backed militia soldiers. The members of international community that have close working relationship with Somaliland authority called on its forces to withdraw its forces in an orderly fashion and return to bases. The new president Hon. Musa has rejected the appeal from the IC and has declared that its forces are not planning to engage skirmishes with Puntland and further said that the army is maintianing its presence in the border to secure peace. Mr. Bihi has called on the UN to put pressure to Somali President, Farmajo to stop the instigation of hostilities in the region. On the other hand, Somaliland president has refused to hold telephone conversation with Puntland president, Abdiweli Gaas and reiterated that his authority is ready to have talks with Farmajo’s government. Some of the representatives of the int’l community met with President Bihi and spoke of the issues in person while other have sent formal messages asking his to return his troops to previous bases before Somaliland troops captured Tukaraq from Puntland militia. Tukaraq is a town in the East of the Sool region of Somaliland.

The conflict between the two began when Puntland  made territorial claims against Somaliland. As a result of the ensuing skirmishes resulted in deaths and injuries among the population in the region as well forces from both sides. Ethiopia mediated the warring sides and urged both sides to resolve the dispute thorough dialogue but not by military means.Now the international community calls on Somaliland to withdraw its occupation forces from disputed areas as the two sides have engaged a protracted war. Both Somaliland and Puntland are urged by the IC to resolve their differences peacefully.