Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has accused the federal government of removing nearly 10,000 soldiers and military beneficiaries from its payroll. Speaking at a news conference in Mogadishu, Khaire said the reported cuts had affected thousands of serving and former military personnel and their families. He alleged that soldiers officially registered with the government had been removed from payment records, while children of troops killed defending the country had been denied financial support.
Khaire's claims have sparked concerns about the impact on soldiers serving on the front lines. He accused the government of redirecting funds withheld from the military to individuals with close ties to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. However, Khaire did not provide documentary evidence supporting the allegation that military funds had been diverted to politically connected individuals. The federal government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations.
The controversy is not new, with Somalia's parliamentary Defense Committee raising concerns over reported reductions in benefits for retired and disabled soldiers and families of military personnel killed in combat. In September, the committee summoned the defense minister and Somali National Army commander to explain the legal basis for the reductions. According to the committee, payments to some retired and disabled soldiers had been reduced by 50%, while benefits for families of fallen soldiers had been cut by as much as 60%.
The committee estimated that nearly 6,000 soldiers and family members were affected by the reductions, which it attributed to decisions involving the Defense Ministry and Somali National Army command. The Finance Ministry was also involved in implementing the payments. The committee sought clarification on how the cuts could affect the morale of soldiers serving on the front lines and requested information about military properties reportedly sold and families displaced from government housing.
Former National Intelligence and Security Agency Director Fahad Haji Yasin Dahir has called for an investigation into the legal basis for the changes. In a Facebook statement, Fahad said complaints about the treatment of retired soldiers, disabled military personnel, and families of fallen troops had persisted for years. He urged President Hassan Sheikh and his administration to explain who authorized the reductions and what legal provisions justified them.
The reductions have had a significant impact on families caring for children of soldiers killed in military operations against al-Shabab. Families reported that monthly payments had been reduced from $200 to $100 per child, with no official explanation provided. Fahad argued that financial support for the families of fallen soldiers should be treated as a legal entitlement rather than discretionary assistance.
The dispute comes as Somalia continues military operations against al-Shabab while seeking to strengthen and professionalize its armed forces. The government has not publicly released a comprehensive explanation of the reported payroll changes or detailed figures showing how many serving soldiers, retirees, disabled personnel, and dependents have been affected.
Key points
- Hassan Ali Khaire accused the government of removing 10,000 soldiers and military beneficiaries from its payroll.
- The reductions have affected retired and disabled soldiers and families of military personnel killed in combat.
- The controversy has sparked concerns about the impact on soldiers serving on the front lines and the morale of the military.
