- United Nations has slammed strict United States restrictions in Somalia saying they are hurting humanitarian aid distribution in the horn of Africa state.
The UN humanitarian official Mark Bowden said the UN agencies have not seen any evidence from the US that food aid is being diverted to Islamists fighting the weak and UN backed Somali transitional government.
The US reduced its funding to Somalia last year after its Office of Foreign Assets Control expressed fear that the extended supply line and areas where aid agencies were operating meant aid could be diverted to a group with links to al-Qaida.
He said agencies were being asked to comply with impractical requirements by the US but declined to give details.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government said today that it has foiled planned attacks against members of parliament and other government officials.
The minister for public works in Somali government, Mohamed Abdi Hayir said the government suspended a workshop that was held in Ambassador Hotel in Mogadishu for members of parliament.
The official said the bomb detonated in front of the hotel, minutes after the workshop was postponed.
He added that the police were still investigating the incident and would soon tell reporters about the results of the investigation.
The blasts targeted state minister for defense of the Somali government.
Somalia has been battling insurgency in almost two decades following the ouster of the former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español