By Shire Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan) – July 29, 2026 – Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has warned that escalating tensions in Galkayo could trigger instability in Puntland, calling on political leaders, traditional elders and religious figures to prevent a possible military confrontation.
Sharmarke said Galkayo should not become a battleground and urged Puntland authorities to avoid military action against other forces from the same region, calling instead for dialogue and a legal solution to the dispute.
He warned that the deployment of weapons and military resources toward a possible confrontation in Galkayo could divert critical resources needed for the fight against Al-Shabaab and broader national security efforts.
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The former prime minister also cautioned that a conflict in the city could have wider consequences, including regional instability, a humanitarian crisis and the risk of drawing additional actors into the escalation.
Sharmarke called on Puntland leaders, traditional elders and religious scholars to play an active role in de-escalating tensions and preventing what he described as an unnecessary conflict before it occurs.