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| Last Updated: Dec 15, 2011 - 11:05:44 AM |
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Somali troops desert to insurgents
30 Apr 30, 2010 - 4:31:31 AM
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Hundreds of Somali soldiers trained in a US-funded programme deserted the fragile government to join the Al-Qaida-inspired militants they are supposed to be fighting because of non payment.
Somalia's state minister for defense, Yusuf Mohamed Siyad aka Indha'ade, confirmed to Associated Press that some trainees had joined the insurgent group, Al-Shabab after failing to get paid their $100 monthly wage.
“The US promised to pay the salaries of 1,800 soldiers, while other donor countries pledged to pay for some 3,300 soldiers. This is part of plans to fund the upkeep of 10,000 soldiers that would help the government retain the security,” he said.
He added that the soldiers did not receive their wages for nearly one year.
According to Somali officials, the troops were supposed to earn $100 a month, but about half of those trained in neighbouring Djibouti deserted after realizing that they are not going to get their payments.
"Some gave up the army and returned to their ordinary life and others joined the rebels," Somali army Col. Ahmed Aden Dhayow told AP.
The US State Department said Washington spent $6.8 million supporting training programs for nearly 1,000 soldiers in neighboring Djibouti last year and about 1,100 soldiers in Uganda last year and earlier this year.
It added that the U.S government has provided $14 million to pay Somali soldiers and purchase supplies transport, uniforms and equipment in Mogadishu since 2007.
The revelation comes as a U.S. and European Union training program for some 2500 soldiers begins in Uganda next month.
The western-backed Somali government controls only handful of areas in the capital while most of the country's south central regions falls under the hands of the insurgents.
In the meantime, At least 5 soldiers were killed and seven others injured in the Somali capital Wednesday in a battle among government forces.
The fighting erupted around Mogadishu’s Medina area after tow groups from the same forces engaged in gun battle.
Medina deputy district commissioner Yussuf Ibrahim Afrah, accused one group, identified as the loyal of Ex-Mogadishu warlord lawmaker Muse Sudi Yalahow, of sparking the deadly gunfight.
“Lawmaker Muse is against the security of this district, he wants to jeopardize the little stability in this area. We will defend ourselves from the anti-peace elements,” he said.
The disorganized Somali troops have been tasked to defend Somalia's Western-backed interim government from the Islamist insurgency that threatens to wants overthrow.
GAROWE ONLINE
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