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Sacked soldiers protest in front of Mogadishu Presidential compound
MOGADISHU -- Hundreds of sacked soldiers and disabled army veterans Saturday staged demonstration in front of Villa Somalia presidential compound in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.The angry participants at the rally marched from Sayidka statue to the presidential palace in response to the recent decision that led to the firing of 700 soldiers including commanders, deputy commanders and captains from the army amid anti-Al Shabaab offensives in southern Somalia. They accused the army general Dahir Khalif Elmi (Indho Qarshe) of irresponsibility, saying he violated their rights while they were executing their national duties. "The [Commander-in-Chief of Somali National Army] gave untrue comments; we were at the frontlines when we have been fired over unclear reasons. We were fighting against Al Shabaab yesterday but now we are liable to be attacked," shouted a protester. In a separate show of complaint, disabled army veterans went on strike over support services. They said that the government halted to provide their regular services such as the food and salary. Gen. Indho Qarshe last Tuesday disclosed at media briefings the removal of 700 soldiers from the army, citing incompetence and ineffectiveness in the job. Somalia Federal Government seeks to exert credible authority across the southern part of the war-ravaged horn of Africa nation, with Al Qaeda inspired Al Shabaab militants stepping up mortar attacks on the government institutions in Mogadishu. Posted by: Steve White 2014-02-09 |
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