Clashes flared on Saturday in Kismayo, a southern Somali port city in Juba regions, between militia fighters loyal to two rival leaders in the city.

The UN Security Council on Thursday expressed concern at the deteriorated situation in the Juba regions, Somalia, calling for restraint from any action that may threaten peace and stability.

In a statement, the members of the Council called on all parties to engage with the federal government of Somalia in a constructive manner to achieve a peaceful resolution to the current crisis and to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.

Clashes flared on Saturday in Kismayo, a southern Somali port city in Juba regions, between militia fighters loyal to two rival leaders in the city.

The Horn of Africa nation’s government is organizing dialogue for rival leaders in the port city over the formation of a regional state for three southern provinces of Gedo, Lower Juba and Middle Juba.

In the statement, the 15-nation body underlined its support for the development of an effective federal system of government in respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, in order to ensure a constructive and sincere partnership between the federal government and local and regional administrations, the statement said.

The most powerful UN body stressed "the importance of the issues in the Juba regions not distracting from the urgent need to end the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and bring, security and prosperity to the Somali people, the overwhelming majority of whom are committed to peace through dialogue."

"In that context, the members of the Council underscored their support for the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and reiterated their willingness to take action against those who undermine the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia," said the statement.

Kismayo has been under the control of Al-Shabaab until September last year when the port city fell into the hands of allied Somali government forces and Kenya contingent of AMISOM.

Somalia has been torn asunder by factional fighting since 1991 but has recently made progress towards stability. In 2011, Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents retreated from Mogadishu and last year new government institutions emerged, as the country ended a transitional phase and will hold national elections in 2016.

Source: Coastweek Newspapers Ltd