The United Nations says a food crisis in Somalia is rapidly growing due to rising food prices and an ongoing drought in the region. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowen, warned Wednesday that many may die of malnutrition unless something is done to address the problem. Bowen said food prices in Somalia have […]
UN Warns of Deepening Food Crisis in Somalia
Report: US Drone Targets Militants in Somalia
A Washington newspaper reports that a U.S. drone aircraft fired on two leaders of the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab in Somalia last week, apparently wounding them. The Washington Post quotes an unnamed senior military official familiar with the operation. The official said the strike was carried out amid rising concerns that al-Shabab is working more […]
UN Warns of Food Crisis in Somalia
A United Nations official says Somalia is facing a food crisis because of a drought and rising food prices. The U.N. humanitarian cordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden said Wednesday,the situation is “rapidly deterorirating” and that many lives may be lost to malnutrition without an adequate response. Bowden says the cost of food has jumped 270 […]
US to Provide Drones For Terror Fight in Somalia
The U.S. Defense Department is supplying drone aircraft to Uganda and Burundi to help those countries fight Islamist militants in Somalia. U.S. military officials say the Pentagon is sending four drones to the African nations, part of a $45-million military aid package. The aid includes body armor, night vision gear, communications equipment and surveillance systems. […]
Somali Parliament Approves New Prime Minister
Somali lawmakers have approved Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, a Somali-American economist, as the country’s new prime minister. Parliamentary Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden says lawmakers approved Ali on Tuesday by a vote of 437 to four, with two abstentions. Ali, who was immediately sworn in after the approval, said he will focus on fighting terrorism and […]
Somalia Pardons Foreigners Arrested With Pirate Ransom
Somalia’s president has pardoned six foreigners who were convicted of bringing millions of dollars intended for pirate ransom into the country. A Somali government spokesman indicated Sunday that the six men will be released shortly, following the pardon from President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Authorities detained the three British nationals, two Kenyans, and one American […]
UN Cites ‘Shocking’ Rise is Somali Refugees
The United Nations says tens of thousands of people are fleeing Somalia, making a difficult and dangerous journey to safety in Kenya. The U.N. refugee agency said Friday about 20,000 refugees have left Somalia for Kenyan camps in the past two weeks. UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming has described both the increase in refugees and their […]
Explosions Heard in Southern Somalia
Witnesses in southern Somalia say they heard huge explosions Thursday near the port town of Kismayo. The witnesses say the blasts took place south of the city, which is controlled by the Islamist militant group al-Shabab. It is not clear what caused the explosions. Witnesses told the French News Agency that they also heard the […]
Somalia Names New Prime Minister
Somalia’s president has named former economics professor Abdiweli Mohamed Ali as the country’s new prime minister. Mr. Ali has been serving as acting prime minister following the resignation Sunday of his popular predecessor, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Previously, the U.S.-educated appointee had served as Somalia’s minister for planning and international cooperation. President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed […]
UN Mulls Piracy Courts
The United Nations is considering where to establish courts to try the more that 1,000 suspected pirates currently being held in 20 countries across the globe. The U.N.’s top legal advisor, Patricia O’Brien, told the Security Council on Tuesday that Somalia, with the most number of pirates in detention, prefers to have the establishment of […]