Clan militia given 30 days to surrender illegal arms

The Government has given a 30-day ultimatum to feuding clans in the county to voluntarily surrender all illegal arms.

After the expiry, a disarmament exercise will be carried out.

Speaking to the Press in Garissa town after a daylong meeting with politicians and clan elders, North Eastern Regional Co-ordinator Mohamud Saleh said the Government will embark on security operation to flush out clan militia and recover illegal arms held by warring clans if the ultimatum elapses without the arms being surrendered.

Mr Saleh said political leaders from the county had agreed to end the inter-clan feuds between Auliyan and Abdiwaq communities.

The conflict has claimed many innocent lives, and resulted in the displacement of hundreds of others from their homes.

"Leaders from the two communities signed a peace resolution, which involves co-existence and freezing the establishment of new settlement in all disputed areas," he told journalists. He was flanked by among others National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Senator Yussuf Haji.

With the peace accord, there will be no new administrative units such as locations and sub-locations in the disputed areas so as to end hostilities that are related to border disputes.

Two weeks ago, four people including a one-year-old girl were shot dead after suspected armed clan militia stormed the settlements of their rival.

The attack ignited a conflict that saw families vacate their homes for fear of more attacks.

The leaders also agreed that those who participated in the attack be arrested and prosecuted in their individual capacity.

"We have agreed no community should be allowed to act against the law. We have information that some youth are closing roads passing through their settlement. We are warning them against doing that," said Saleh.