Fighting claims 15 lives in southern Somalia

At least 15 people died and 20 others were wounded in inter-clan in southern Somalia this weekend.

At least 15 people died and 20 others were wounded in inter-clan in southern Somalia this weekend.

Eleven people were killed yesterday and four others died overnight in the fighting at Tobonka Bondo village, 21 miles south of the capital Mogadishu.

The fighting, triggered by a land dispute, forced farmers and nomads from the two clans to flee to relatively peaceful villages nearby.

Minister of Science and Technology in the Somali Transitional National Government (TNG) Mr Abdulkadir Mohamed (aka Madahaey) pledged to bring together elders of the warring Abgal and Garre sub-clans, both from larger Hawiye, to work out a ceasefire.

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"We will first negotiate a ceasefire, and follow up with talks to end the hostilities once and for all," Madahaey said.

An elder said that five attempts by elders to restore peace between the two sub-clans had failed, since fighting started last month. "But this time we are hopeful that the two warring sides will accept the outcome of forthcoming talks," said the elder, who asked not to be named.

AFP