BELETWEIN, Somalia Oct 4 (Garowe Online) - A 30-member delegation led by regional clan chief Ugas Abdirahman Ugas Khalif departed from the central Somali region of Hiran midday Thursday en route to neighboring Galgadud where peace talks are scheduled to start.
An elder with the Ugas Abdirahman delegation told Garowe Online they were invited to Galgadud by local clan elder Ugas Abdulkadir Ugas Faro'Adde, chief of the Murursade clan.
Ugas Abdirahman is chief of the Hawadle clan. Both clans belong to the larger Hawiye clan-family that traditionally resides in central and southern Somalia.
Da'ar Hersi Hoshow told reporters in the Hiran capital Beletwein today that clan-related killings between Hawadle and Murursade fighters have led to innocent deaths and forced families from their homes.
He said Ugas Abdirahman's delegation was warmly received in the Galgadud town of Guri El by a local delegation. The talks are scheduled to open in the coming days to diffuse tensions and restore normalcy to clan relations.
In August, nine nomad men were slaughtered as part of a series of revenge killings between the aforementioned clans. Elders said there have been several attacks where innocents were murdered for belonging to the opposite clan.
Somalia lacks a strong central government and the country is largely run by local clans and administrations. Elders from both Hiran and Galgadud regions said they hope the talks will lead to lasting peace in the territory.
Source: Garowe Online
