Somalia: Puntland soldiers stage protest over unpaid salaries

GALKAYO, Somalia-Puntland soldiers have staged strike for unpaid salaries in the latest in a series of mutinies and protests being staged by security forces and civil servants, Garowe Online reports.

Police officers at Galkayo municipality Saturday protested and seized offices and local government buildings in protest at delay in salary payment and alleged corruption, district councilor Mohamud Jibril told Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe.  

Jibril blamed officials for misappropriating municipality revenues, claiming that they questioned mayor on mishandling of local funds in their last session.  

Galkayo mayor Abdiasis Jama Nugal rebuffed claims of corruption, and downplayed protests.  

He said, a small group of soldiers complained of delayed pays, which have been resolved later in the day. 

--Conditions substandard for security forces  

Paramilitary Birmadka forces commander in Galkayo Abdirashid Hasan Gabi-Gabi has acknowledged the existence of challenges facing security forces in a separate interview with Puntland-based station, Daljir Radio.  

He faulted recent killings on several issues including unattended grievances within army and lack of cooperation with the public.  

The security commander asked government to beef up presence of security forces in the town so that the police will operate with utmost sincerity.   

On May 7, a pistol-wielding middle-aged man shot dead the General Manager of Telecommunications Company, Somtel Omar Mohamed Abdulle.  

On June 8, just a few minutes before fast-breaking dusk prayer, unidentified assailants killed woman peace activist and the head of Mudug Women Association Dhudi Yusuf Adan at her home in Galkayo’s Garsoor neighborhood.  

Galkayo, located at Puntland’s southern gate, witnessed a series of targeted killings and bomb attacks, with deadliest in recent months being suicide bombing that claimed six people on March 31.

GAROWEONLINE