NAIROBI,
Kenya
The
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Wednesday called on the
international community to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced
persons following armed clashes in Mogadishu on April 25.
The East African bloc also said it will continue providing
support to the Somali people in their quest for peace, democracy, and
stability.
FILE: A woman cooks for her family at al-Adala Internally displaced people Camp just outside of the Somali capital Mogadishu.
The bloc welcomed the Somali leaders’ consensus to proscribe
extension of the mandate of the executive and parliament and reiterated the
centrality of constructive and inclusive dialogue as an essential prerequisite
for a comprehensive settlement of all outstanding issues.
“IGAD strongly urges all Somali leaders to exercise maximum
restraint and refrain from any actions that will lead to further escalation of
violence. All parties should ensure the protection of lives, properties and
civilian institutions,” the bloc said in a statement.
It called on the stakeholders to move rapidly to conclude the
implementation framework of the September 17 pre-election agreement through an
inclusive and transparent dialogue that prioritizes the popular aspiration of
the Somalis for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections without further
delay.
The statement comes after the UN humanitarian agency said about
between 60,000 and 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in
Mogadishu following an outbreak of violence on April 25.
Prime Minister Mohamed Roble has also called on those who had
fled their homes and the vulnerable internally displaced persons who had sought
refuge in the Somali capital but have again fled to find refuge on the
outskirts of the city to return back.
President Mohamed Farmajo had earlier dropped his term extension
plans and opted for dialogue to resolve the political stalemate on the
elections, thus easing tensions that had engulfed the country.
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