Somali's main militant group has banned the United Nations food agency from distributing food throughout the country. Al-Shabaab released a statement to the media Sunday, accusing the World Food Programme of distributing expired food and undermining local farmers. According to the United Nations, about half the population of Somalia is starving (nearly four million citizens).
The food agency suspended work in southern Somalia in January due to rising attacks and unacceptable demands from armed groups. Reporters declined to say whether or not the agency had resumed operations in the south. However, it is stated that the program continues to distribute food in other parts of the country, including the capital, Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab controls much of southern Somalia. It has accused the food aid agency of having a political motive and supporting the U.N.-backed transitional government. World Food Programme has denied the allegations and said it is impartial and nonpolitical.
Somalia has not had a stable government since 1991, and fighting between the rebels and government troops as escalated the humanitarian crisis in the famine-ravaged country.
This article is interesting because it shows the extent to which the U.N. has power. The United Nations was established to promote peace across the nations and to help those in need. However, if country decides against aid, is there anything the U.N. can really do about it? If it is blatantly obvious that a country's government and citizens are suffering, yet they choose not to receive help, does the U.N. have obligations to said country's situation? This article got me thinking about other situations like this in everyday life as well (not related to politics, just food for thought).
Also, if anyone's interested, Lil' Wayne's going to jail!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/01/lil.wayne.sentencing/index.html
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