Press Release on Council of Minister Meeting

The Council of Ministers of the Somali Government convened a meeting chaired by The Somali Prime Minister, H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo.

The meeting discussed the security situation in the country where the Prime Minister informed the Council of Ministers that the Somali National Forces, the different parts of the Somali Public and the African Union Forces (AMISOM) made progress in a number of fronts previously occupied by the forces opposed to peace.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Abdihakim Fiqi also gave additional details on the security situation and the fight against Al-Shabaab to the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Fiqi informed his audience that the moral of the Somali National Forces was very high especially after the troops received the necessary logistical support it needed for its operations. He added that this has not always been the case.

The Defense Minister also discussed the operations of the Somali National Forces in some of the regions in the Country and reported that these efforts are going well and have demoralized the opposition. “The operations we started will continue until we defeat the enemy and we will not repeat the past mistakes in which territories reclaimed by our forces were abandoned”;

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense told the Council of Ministers.

The Prime Minister H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed who chaired the meeting expressed to the Council that it was unfortunate that fighting is still raging in the areas near Buhodleh and that heavy weapons ar in use against the local inhabitants.

After a discussion of the issues surrounding the fighting in Kalshaale and Buhodleh area, the Council of Ministers agreed on the following points:

1. We send our condolences to the people whose loved ones lost their lives as a result of the fighting of the last few weeks near Kalshale and other areas near Buhodleh. We also pray for the quick recovery of those injured.
2. We call upon the clans who live in that area, which are neighbors and have much in common to choose peace.
3. We regret that some regional leaders called their people to join the fighting instead of advocating for a peaceful solution to all problems in that area and we call upon them to withdraw their call since fighting produces no good results.
4. As is clear in the Transitional Federal Charter, a province may join a regional administration willingly and that such an association can never be forced through military might.
5. We call on the International Community, specially the major powers that are concerned about the issues of this region to assist the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia strengthen the security and unity of Somalia and not to be party to anything that may widen the conflict or cause the disintegration of the Country.
6. Furthermore, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia is sacred and no one will be allowed to infringe upon it.
7. Finally, we call upon the elders, the traditional leaders, and the intellectuals form these communities to work for peace and to stop the bloodletting as soon as possible. The Federal Government is prepared to contribute towards a lasting solution that will bring peace and security to these areas.

Office of the Prime minister
media@opm.gov.so