SNA mutineers in Somalia's capital refuse to go to army bases

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The rebelling contingent of the Somali National Army [SNA] has refused to go back to their military bases in yet another move that could derail planned peace talks in the Horn of Africa nation, which has been battling with instability for three decades.

A fortnight ago, an unknown number of SNA soldiers mainly from Middle Shebelle deserted their camps for the capital Mogadishu, where they have been protecting zones believed to be strongholds of opposition leaders.

The Garowe Online had established the troops were against President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo's term extension and had chosen Mogadishu as the battlefront where they engaged in a fierce gunfight with those loyal to the president.

At least four people died and a host was displaced as the mutineers claimed victory in the capital. Since then, the soldiers are said to be still intact in the regions they had taken over, despite calls to return to their respective bases.

However, the troops have refused to go back to their bases, insisting that outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo must hand over security duties to someone else, adding that the president is responsible for the current divisions within the military.

In an interview with the BBC Somali service, the mutineers insisted that they do not trust Farmajo with security responsibilities, adding that he may opt to kick them out of the payroll besides victimizing them. They didn't name whoever they want to be in charge of security.

With pressure from the international community, Farmajo rescinded his decision to extend the term for two years and handed over election responsibilities to Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who a number of people want to take over security.

The Prime Minister has already slated May 20 as the day for the pre-election conference and has asked all the teams to stop violence in the capital. His sentiments were backed by the European Union envoy to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga, who asked for demilitarization of Mogadishu.

"Demilitarise Mogadishu is the priority now. Those that want to play a positive role in elections should support PM Roble in his key tasks. Division of Mogadishu with militias or out-of-line-of-command security forces is not helping Somali people," he noted.

Mogadishu remains a hotspot for violence and a number of stakeholders now want the election question solved immediately. A number of them have threatened to stop financial aid to Somalia, which is struggling with a host of challenges.

GAROWE ONLINE