Puntland soldiers protest in Garowe over unpaid wages

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU (Caasimada Online)—Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland soldiers went on strike on Saturday in Garowe town, blocking roads and forcing businesses to close in protest over unpaid salaries.

The disgruntled Puntland military soldiers took to the main streets in the town over claims of unpaid salaries spanning 7 months, a witness told Caasimada Online

Puntland’s chief of stabilization in Nugal region, Muhidin Ahmed Muse started efforts to remove the soldiers from the town.

Non-payment of wages is commonplace, leading to low morale, amid fighting against Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab and Islamic State groups in Somalia.

There was no immediate comment from Puntland authorities over its soldiers’ strike.

Somalia has been mired in violence and lawlessness since early 1990s when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.

Caasimada Online

Mogadishu News Desk

Caasimada@live.com