President Sharif Ahmed has called on armed groups to enter dialogue with his government to end decades of fighting in the nation, reports Al Jazeera. Speaking at a press conference, the President affirmed his regret about the war in southern Somalia and blamed those who formed an alliance against his government. “This war proves that their ideas are incorrect; We call on them to stop fighting… the government is ready to open the door for dialogue with all parties to end trouble in the country.” Leader of the opposition Somali Islamic party, Hassan Mahdi Othman said he considered Ahmed’s reconciliation offer as empty words. Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991 when the overthrow of the government plunged the country into chaos.
