Somalia: Puntland Army troops mutiny over pays

GAROWE, Somalia Dec 4, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Army troops on the frontline straddling the restive border between Puntland and Somaliland vacated their positions on account of unpaid salaries on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Mutineers formed temporary positions in the outskirts of Garowe, calling on President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali’s administration to address their plights.

Insiders tell Garowe Online that the soldiers went on strike after Puntland government withheld their salaries over the last four months.

“Frankly speaking, besides the missing pays of soldiers the reason behind the mutiny lies in mire in Tukaraq bases and lack of support services including petroleum fuels,” one source said on condition of anonymity.

Statewide frustrations, and complaints over economic hardship have been dragging on for months.

In March, Puntland Defence Forces in 54^th Somali army base staged similar mutiny, setting tires on fire and chanting for their military rights.

Revenues being generated from Bossaso seaport and customs increased exponentially during the summer according to sources that declined to be named in print.

In early July, a 500-bed Danish-funded pirate complex in the state capital of Garowe came on the verge of closure but Puntland Custodian Corps Chief Gen. Ali Nur later denied reported substandard conditions in the prison facility in an emailed statement.

Ali who was elected Puntland's new president in a narrow victory margin of 33-to-32 parliamentary vote on January 8, 2014 pledged that he will focus on the wages of government employees.

GAROWE ONLINE