MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United Kingdom has urged Somalia’s federal government and the Jubaland State administration to engage in constructive dialogue to prevent further armed clashes in Beled Hawo town, located in the Gedo region.
During an exclusive interview with Arlaadi Media Network in Mogadishu, UK Ambassador to Somalia, Charles King, expressed concern over the recent unrest.
He warned that militant group Al-Shabaab could exploit the instability, potentially threatening not only local but regional security.
“We would like to see more dialogue and engagement to resolve these issues rather than an increase in violence and fighting,” Ambassador King emphasized, underscoring the importance of peaceful negotiation to maintain stability.
Meanwhile, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his condolences to those affected and called for increased humanitarian aid and recovery efforts.
He also ordered that national forces who had relocated into Kenyan territory return safely to their respective areas, assuring that no one “will be punished” for the move.
In a statement shared by The Villa Somalia on Tuesday evening, the President urged — without naming any parties — “all parties involved in regional conflicts to work towards peace, unity, and stability across the country.”
However, The UK’s call for dialogue and the President’s appeal for peace, according to several political experts, underscore the urgent need for Somali authorities and regional actors to prioritize reconciliation and stability in the Gedo region and beyond,.
