Somalia: Puntland forces seize custom office, bomb blast rips through MP’s car in Galkayo

GAROWE, Puntland- Soldiers of Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland have staged mutiny on Wednesday in Garowe city and seized control of custom office located at south-west entrance control over unpaid salaries , Garowe Online reports.

Eyewitnesses told GO that soldiers have seized control of the custom office and demanded their overdue salaries and government entitlements for over 7 months. 

In February, Puntland commandos were reported to seize control of Parliament headquarters and blocked main roads in Garowe city, the capital of Puntland state, complaining of poor welfare and unpaid salaries, however, the situation was resolved following intervention by clan elders and officials.

The seizure of the office came following announcement by senior army officials that state troops didn’t receive wages for 30 months particularly soldiers stationed in Nugal, Ayn and Sool regions.

Last month, Finance Minister has claimed that current Puntland administration led by President Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas” has paid the wages in monthly basis and slammed reports of outstanding wages. 

But senior army officials has condemned the statement by Finance Minister and noted it is intended to cause rift between the military forces and their commanders and reiterated that Puntland government didn't pay wages over 2 years.

It’s noteworthy that since the election of President Ali in January 2014, civil servants and security forces have frequently protested over poor working conditions and lack of payments by Puntland administration.

-Bomb blast rips through MP’s car in Galkayo'

A state parliamentarian was reported to sustain serious wounds after a bomb blast has ripped through his vehicle in Galkayo, the regional capital of Mudug region on Wednesday.

A bomb was fitted under MP Abdul Qadir Farah Botan’s car and was detonated soon after he left Classic Hotel in Galkayo en-route to his residence, according to sources. Following the blast Botan was rushed to the hospital immediately to receive necessary treatment.

However, no group has claimed responsibility of the attack, but authorities suspect that Al Shabaab militants are behind the attempt to assassinate the MP.

Government officials have increasingly been targeted in attacks in Puntland region in the past months by unknown assailants suspected to be linked to Al Shabaab and ISIS groups.

GAROWEONLINE