MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Troops in central Somalia’s Baladwayne town on Monday staged a mutiny over unpaid salaries and closed roads, as the country’s powerful leaders wrangle, triggering fear that it may slide back into a civil war.
Dozens of police officers blocked key highways in the town and were seen firing in the air, ordering pedestrians and vehicles to return while forcing local business to close.
It has been reported that the soldiers were protesting about prolonged lack of payments and poor working conditions.
There has been no immediate response from local authorities and the federal government about the mutiny in the restive town, riven by tensions over the upcoming elections, militant attacks and clan rivalries.
Mutinous troops against Hirshabelle regional authorities took control of government compounds in the town several weeks ago and countered an attempt to bring region’s president Ali Gudlawe to the adminstrative capital of Hiran region.
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