UK pledges to pay stipends of sector 60 of SNA

The UK government has pledged to offset stipends for sector 60 of Somali National Army and promised to turn the pledges into action as soon as possible.

“The UK is always ready to support Somalia especially SNA. It is ready to pay stipends for sector 60 of SNA,” read a statement released by Somali Defence ministry after Somalia’s SNA chief commander met with the Ambassador of UK to Somalia, Harriett Mathews.

The move by the UK government comes at a time of relative discontent among members of the national army following claims of non-payment of salaries for over six months. Security analysts have warned that this development could impact negatively on the security operations.

The ambassador hailed the good work of SNA which she said had been critical to the success of operations against the Al-Shabaab terror group.

The SNA chief of Defence Forces, Major Mohamed Adan Ahmed commended government of UK for its support and its pledges to the army. “The government of UK pledges to support SNA and promised to turn the promises into action as soon as possible” he said. The discussions with the ambassador on Monday in Mogadishu, focused on how to strengthen the work of SNA.