Tens of thousands displaced in Somalia amid unrest

Mogadishu, Apr 28 (EFE).- Clashes between supporters of different political factions have forced between 60,000 and 100,000 people to flee their homes in the Somali capital, the United Nations reported Wednesday.

In a statement, acting humanitarian coordinator for Somalia Cesar Arroyo expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Mogadishu.

“Apart from displacing innocent civilians, the initial violence has created uncertainty and fear of disruptions of humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people across the city,” he said.

The violent clashes that erupted after the country’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo extended his term by two years on April 12 have not only affected the capital’s residents but also those internally displaced Somalis who moved there from other parts of the country.

This move violated an agreement signed between Farmajo and regional leaders on Sept 17 and was condemned by the opposition and foreign powers, who have pressured the president to drop the bid to extend his term.

Somalia’s leader also urged a return to election negotiations through the implementation of the pact that put in place a roadmap for holding elections.

According to the deal, the East African nation should have held elections in February but failed due to political disagreements.

Somalia has been mired in chaos since 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown, tearing the country apart between Islamist militias and clan warlords. EFE

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