Somalia: Forces in tumult over rights, says Ex-Puntland security commander

GAROWE, Somalia, June 25, 2015 (Garowe Online)-The Former Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Puntland Police Forces, Gen. Muhiyadin Ahmed Musse for the first time disclosed that security forces went on strike over missing rights on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

In an interview with BBC Somali Service, Gen. Musse denied allegations of links between his sacking over five months ago and a mutiny staged by regiments within Puntland Defence Forces as ‘groundless’:” I was revoked of the post five months ago, I didn’t groan inwardly. There’s no relation between the sacking and the strike. Just it is baseless and pretext”.

Former security commander added that he was infuriated by unpaid salaries, delayed support services of government soldiers and the collective firing of hundreds of troops from the army.

Gen. Musse stressed the need for peaceful solution to the brewing differences, saying he was not ready to foment violence.

“What we shun is insecurity, i have put things under control for five months and for the soldiers to make violent activities, I really prevented,” he told BBC Somali Service, referring to speculations that he wants to jeopardize stability.

Continuing, Musse accused forces accountable to Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of torturing his wife after a raid on home in the capital, Garowe.

Puntland security forces staged several revolts, with the units setting tyres alight amid Al Shabaab threats in the rugged terrain of Galgala.

Traditional leaders and Islamic Scholars are spearheading efforts to diffuse the tension.  

GAROWE ONLINE