The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Wednesday expressed concern about the ongoing violence in northern Somalia and called for an urgent ceasefire as well as the immediate withdrawal of security forces from Somaliland.
Reaffirming full respect for the “sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia”, the UN body expressed particular concern about the ongoing violence in Las Anod, located in the Sool region of northern Somalia, which resulted in the death of a large number of civilians. casualties and the displacement of more than 150,000 people.
The members of the Security Council welcomed the efforts and initiatives of the federal government of Somalia, Ethiopia and local elders to end hostilities and encourage an inclusive national dialogue, and called on all parties to urgently reach an agreement on a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.