The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemns in the strongest terms the renewed outbreak of hostilities in the Somali city of Gaalkacyo this morning and calls on all parties to immediately cease fire and open dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the underlying issues.

The renewed heavy fighting between Puntland and Galmudug security forces this morning has resulted in numerous casualties among the civilian population, and comes six days after the initial clashes between these forces and allied armed groups left at least six people dead in Gaalkacyo.

“The fighting must stop, any shelling of civilian areas of the town may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, and those responsible for such attacks will be held accountable,” said SRSG Kay. “I, once again, call upon the Presidents of Puntland and Galmudug to instruct their security forces to end the fighting without any delay and cooperate with Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke to arrange an immediate meeting to resolve this crisis peacefully.”

The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) stands ready to facilitate all efforts, including those of the Prime Minister and the elders of Galkayo, to bring a halt to the hostilities and to find a lasting solution to the dispute between Puntland and Galmudug.