Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi has held talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) trained soldiers barely four days after the government took over General Gordan Academy.
Somali Defense Ministry took command of the former UAE-run military training on Sunday following the withdrawal of UAE instructors.
President met 270 UAE trained officers last night at the country’s Defense Ministry where he discussed with them on wide range issues.
During the meeting the top commanders of UAE trained unit dubbed Daljir (Country Guards) were questioned over the recent clashes at the centre.
Speaking at the meeting, President Farmajo has called upon the officers to execute their duties with the respected the army’s code of conduct.
He said the government pardoned the soldiers who engaged in clashes with a unit from Somali National Army on Monday.
“Forget about what had happened the other day, it is not something new, it occurred severally, We have forgiven you, no one will be prosecuted over that, (incident). We have suffered enough with lots of fallen soldiesr, we do not want to see this again,” the President told the officers.
President Farmajo pledged that his government will take responsibility of paying the salaries of soldiers regularly.
“I am the top leaders and Chief commander of the armed forces, I promise before you, that you will get salaries every month,,” said the President.
A day after Somalia took control of the training centre vacated by UAE, two factions of SNA soldiers have clashed following dispute over the military hardware left by Emirati trainers.
Two soldiers have reportedly died as eight others sustained injuries during the skirmishes.
Somali military officials who confirmed the clashes said a number of soldiers had been detained in connection with the incident.
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