Somalia cannot tolerate ‘politically motivated disputes’: PM says

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said his country cannot tolerate “politically motivated disputes” amid tensions in the regions of Gedo and Hiiraan, as well as the state of Puntland and the northern town of Las Anod.

Speaking at an event in Mogadishu late on Monday, Barre called for an end to the disputes.

“We want the ongoing in disputes to be resolved,” he said. “We cannot tolerate these disputes and Somalis do not deserve any new politically motivated disputes.”

He continued, “What we want is unity, order and brotherhood”.

The PM called for resolving of all the disputes through dialogue and in the spirit of brotherhood.

He also called on the breakaway Somaliland to withdraw its forces from the city and to open doors for negotiations.

Somalia has witnessed a string of political crises in recent weeks over a wide range of issues.

Observers are worried that these disputes will weaken the ongoing government-led offensive against Al-Shabaab militants which has been a successful campaign so far.