Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has accused Somalia's federal government of removing nearly 10,000 soldiers, including children of troops killed in battle, from the national army payroll.
Khaire, who is a member of the opposition alliance made the allegations at a news conference held by the National Salvation Forum, an opposition coalition, accusing the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of cutting financial support to thousands of soldiers and their families.
He said the affected personnel had previously been included in the government's official payroll records, but were subsequently removed, leaving them without their salaries.
Among those affected, Khaire said, were children of soldiers who had died in battles against militants and other armed groups, arguing that the government had deprived the families of financial entitlements they were supposed to receive.
The former prime minister further accused the administration of diverting funds withheld from the military to individuals with close ties to President Mohamud.
He did not provide publicly verifiable evidence to support the allegations about the number of soldiers removed from the payroll or the alleged diversion of funds.
The accusations come amid growing scrutiny of military payments and welfare provisions for Somali troops, with parliament's finance committee recently demanding clarification over reported salary deductions affecting members of the armed forces.
The committee said some soldiers serving in the southern state of Jubbaland had been informed that $100 would be deducted from their monthly salaries.
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It said parliament wanted to establish the reasons behind the deductions and identify the officials or authorities responsible for ordering the measure.
The committee's intervention has added to concerns over the financial treatment of soldiers serving in a country where government forces continue to fight Al-Shabaab militants, an al-Qaeda-linked group that has waged an insurgency for more than 15 years.
Somali security forces, supported by international partners, have been engaged in prolonged military operations against the group, which continues to carry out deadly attacks against security forces, government officials and civilians.
The welfare of soldiers and their families has remained a sensitive issue, particularly for households that depend on military salaries and financial support following the deaths of serving personnel.
Khaire, who served as prime minister from 2017 to 2020, is among prominent opposition figures challenging the federal government's policies and political direction.
His latest remarks are likely to intensify political criticism of the administration, particularly over military management, public spending and accountability.
However, the government has not yet provided an official response to the specific allegations that nearly 10,000 soldiers and beneficiaries were removed from the army payroll.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
