Shabaab keep 7 Aid WFP Trucks from Kenya from their Starving People

Last Updated: Dec 17, 2008 - 9:16:39 AM

Islamists in Somalia warn WFP, seize aid trucks17 Dec 17, 2008 - 9:13:29 AM
KISMAYO, Somalia Dec 17 (Garowe Online) - Islamist militia in control of Somalia's southern port of Kismayo seized aid trucks and warned the UN's World Food Program (WFP) about future aid deliveries, Radio Garowe reported Wednesday.

Witnesses and officials said seven aid trucks were seized near Kismayo, the country's third-largest city that has been under the control of the Islamist Al Shabaab militia since August.
The aid trucks came from Kenya, which shares a border with Lower Jubba region where Kismayo is located.

Sheikh Hassan Yakub, the Islamist administration's information secretary, later told a press conference in Kismayo that the aid trucks were seized for two primary reasons.

"For one, we prohibited WFP from continuing operations in Lower Jubba [region]," Sheikh Yakub said, adding: "Secondly, WFP has made farmer jobless."

He accused WFP of timing food aid deliveries with harvest season, when Lower Jubba farmers are expecting to collect crops.

The aid trucks are reportedly being kept at a Kismayo warehouse under the guard of Islamist gunmen.

WFP was not issued any public statements regarding the latest development, but many people worry WFP might completely stop its aid operations in the region.

The Rest @ Garowe Online