A bill on Somali forces pension which seeks to create a conducive environment for the country’s retired servicemen and women will be taken before the parliament for second reading.
The bill which was drafted by the Ministry of Defense was unanimously endorsed September 2017 by the cabinet ministers.
The parliamentary committee of defense will give details of the proposed military veteran bill to the lawmakers of the federal Parliament on Wednesday.
The forces with limited military hardware have been fighting Al-Shabab fighters for last one decade.
Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo who pledged reforms and regular payment for the armed forces is working round the clock to revive the country’s strong army.
If it is approved, a new law will be put in place to allow the veterans of the country’s armed forces to get pension and care.
It is yet unclear if the bill will also cover and support the war veterans who served the country before the civil war broke out.
Many military officers upon retirement feel abandoned as they live in abject poverty due to lack of clear legislation defining their retirement benefits.
Also adversely affected are families of gallant officers who are left behind after their breadwinners die in the line of duty.
A quite number of veteran soldiers of Somali national army who participated in the war of 1977 between Somalia and Ethiopia are living mouth to hand live in Mogadishu.
The current war veterans who are estimated to be more than 310 officers are residing in Martinu Hospital in Mogadishu.
Somalia that once possessed a formidable military in the continent is struggling build up its forces after decades of dysfunctional.
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