Puntland State leader says he is ready for non military, peaceful solutions to conflict in Bosaso

Somalia’s Puntland state leader Saed Abdullahi Deni has broken his silence on the ongoing conflict between his troops and a section of Puntland security forces led by the expelled commander Diano.

In a televised address, the leader affirmed his willingness for a non military peaceful solution to the conflict in Bosaso. He strongly denied that his administration is orchestrating acts threatening the state security.

He urged the public to return to their homes and directed government institutions to extend support with the affected people by the conflict. The state leader highlighted that they have learnt experience from this conflict and called for a peaceful solution.

The deadly three-day fighting has so far claimed the lives of at least 20 people including soldiers and civilians which also forced hundreds of families to flee from their houses in the coastal town.

There have been growing calls for peace talks between the rival forces in the semi autonomous region by politicians.Tensions between the two have run high since last month when Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni fired PSF commander Mohamoud Osman Diyano.