Peace talks have commenced in Adale where traditional leaders are leading in efforts to stop clashes between militias of opposing clans.
Imam of the Mudulod Imam Dahir Imam Mohamud on Tuesday urged communities in Middle Shabelle to stop interclan fighting.
He said the traditional and political leaders have toured Gelgub, Hajji Ali, El-Muluq and Labagaras to end inter-ethnic clashes.
The latest clashes that broke out last week started shortly after the area was liberated by the Somali National Army and allied clan militias from al-Shabab.
According to the Credible Sources close to Dalsan TV, 20 people have been killed and more than 1,500 displaced since the clashes broke out.
The area has been under the control of the Somali militant group al-Shabab for close to 15 years.
The Imam of the Mudulod Clan said Middle Shabelle has many other pressing problems, which the communities should focus on to realise development.
He said interclan fighting has derailed the county’s economic development.
He said it is disheartening to see communities who coexisted for decades turn against each other.
Imam Dahir urged warring communities to involve all stakeholders in Middle Shabelle to come up with a lasting solution to the clashes.
“We have visited all areas where conflicts have been going on and engaged the leaders to stop the fighting. We have agreed to a ceasefire, remove all combatants to be removed from the area and immediate commencement of talks,” said Imam Dahir who led traditional leaders in pursuit of peace.
Adale, where the villages in dispute fall under, is a coastal town in the southern Middle Shabelle region of Somalia some 180 km from the capital Mogadishu.
It is a stretch of virgin sandy beaches that goes on and is only interrupted by many fishing boats at the docking site used by fishermen.
Clan militias who helped Somali Army Soldiers in liberating the towns from Al-shabaab, and who have been fighting for control have accepted the peace talks.
Many inhabitants of the towns have left the towns for fear of more clashes between rival clans.
The Somali government through the top leadership of the Somali Army has commenced reconciliation efforts in Hirshabelle State.
