Intelligence Reports on the ground show that Somalia National Army (SNA) troops have been withdrawing from their positions following a row with the Federal Government over unpaid wages. Al Shabaab in various parts of southern and central Somalia are said to be taking over camps previously manned by SNA troops after they vacated.
Several towns have fallen back under the control of al Shabaab after the military withdrew or held strikes over months of unpaid wages despite the government receiving money from allies meant to take care of the soldier’s welfare.
In the Federal government’s defense, Somali PM Ali Khaire said that the salaries were delayed because of the ongoing biometric registration of the soldiers pledging to speed up the process to ensure that the soldiers are adequately compensated and motivated to deal with the al Shabaab menace.
Security analysts maintain that the only reason SNA troops hasn’t buckled is the help the soldiers receive from the AMISOM troops in the affected regions. Also, a continued delay will undermine the headway made by the AMISOM troops in achieving peace for Somalia as they prepare to withdraw from the country leaving the security in the hands of SNA.
Corruption within the ranks of SNA ranks in Somalia has been a major problem that could explain the lack of payments of the troops despite countries like the United States, Turkey, UAE, and Britain providing financial support to supplement the Somali troops’ government salaries as the East African country rebuilds its own national army.
