Somalia: Puntland soldiers stage mutiny over unpaid salaries

GAROWE, Somalia - Soldiers from Puntland state staged a mutiny on Tuesday over their unpaid salaries and allowances, eyewitnesses reported, just a week after similar conduct was reported in the southern part of the Federal State of Somalia which is gradually becoming the base of lawlessness.

Dozens of armed soldiers who were using military vehicles blocked traffic eastern part of Garowe, the regional administrative capital of Puntland, temporarily bringing to a halt activities along the busy Garowe-Bosaso highway which leads to the commercial capital of Bosaso, residents said.

One soldier was heard complaining that Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni had diverted money meant for salaries to election campaigns despite the fact that his term will be elapsing within the next eight months, but there are reports that the regional leader is keen to extend his term.

For the better part of Tuesday, Deni, who is facing criticism from the opposition and the federal government, spent his time campaigning for the Kaah party in Galkayo, where he is drumming support for candidates in city elections. The opposition has boycotted elections citing opaqueness from the government.

The election campaigns have continued despite the fact that most civil servants and security officers are yet to be paid with records indicating that the state received shareable revenue and donor funds which are meant to clear workers. The administration has remained mum over the recent challenges.

Even in the middle of protests from members of the opposition, Deni maintains that the local council elections will be held from May 24 this year. A few days ago, the irritated soldiers held a mutiny in Galkayo, closing down the checkpoint over unpaid dues, a matter which was quickly fumigated by the administration.

At an event on Monday, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre criticized the Puntland administration saying that "today, Puntland is not where it should be in Somalia's state-building" in remarks which Deni is said to be preparing for a rebuttal for his own defense and the administration of Puntland.

Hamza Abdi Barre stressed that the federal government would not tolerate failure in the extensive debt forgiveness process, adding that Puntland has no option other than holding inclusive elections. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had also warned against Deni's lackluster participation in federal affairs.

In Somalia, cases of soldiers staging mutiny over unpaid salaries or lack of confidence in leaders who are in power are not a new phenomenon. In 2021, Somali National Army staged a mutiny against former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed better known as Farmaajo over attempts to extend his term.

GAROWE ONLINE