Garowe Mediation Ends Without Breakthrough as General Jimale Rejects Talks with Puntland Government

Garowe (WDN) – Efforts to defuse the political and security standoff in Garowe have ended in disappointment after a mediation committee from the Nugaal region returned from Las Anod without securing a breakthrough in talks with Gen. Jimale Jama Takar.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the committee spent the past two days meeting with Gen. Jimale in an attempt to ease tensions between him and the Puntland administration. However, the talks failed to produce an agreement.

Sources told WardheerNews that Gen. Jimale refused to engage in any negotiations with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni while he remains in Las Anod. He is also reportedly unwilling to return to Garowe under the current circumstances.

The Puntland administration maintains that the Federal Government of Somalia recently appointed Gen. Jimale as commander of the 54th Division of the Somali National Army. Puntland officials insist that, should he wish to enter Garowe, he must first resign from the position or publicly declare that he has neither accepted nor holds the appointment.