United Nation has called leaders of Puntland and Somaliland to work on de-escalation of the tension between the states.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, James Swan who visited Garowe on Monday has discussed with Puntland leader, Said Abdullahi Deni on the ongoing tensions between Somaliland and Puntland over the Sool and Sanaag regions.
“We are concerned about this continuing problem and the sporadic fighting in areas of Sool and Sanaag in recent months,” said Mr. Swan.
He expressed the UN’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
“That has heightened tensions in the area, and we urge the leaders of Puntland and Somaliland,” he said.
“I am pleased to have visited Puntland and engaged in a very constructive meeting with President Deni and members of his administration,” Swan said in a statement.
He pledged to work closely with the people of Puntland and the federal member state administration in order to implement the UNSOM mandate and the activities of the entire UN family more effectively, including efforts to support inclusive dialogue among the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States.
The visit signified Swan’s first trip out of Mogadishu since he arrived in Somalia on 25 June to take up his duties as SRSG and the Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
Puntland was founded in 1998, making it Somalia’s oldest federal member state.
