Security 2011 East Africa drought

in july 2011, head of united states agency international development, rajiv shah, stated drought may worsen security situation in region. happening precisely in part of world our defense secretary leon panetta said critical part of our fight against terrorism , our overall international security. underscores deep link between food security , national security. armed herders violently competing dwindling resources. in kenya alone more 100 herders have been killed.

the battle flag of al-shabaab, islamist group implicated in crisis

fears of al-shabaab insurgents, control of southern somalia, continue hinder humanitarian operations in region. need better access have @ moment address emergency of scale. un agencies “in dialogue” al-shabaab securing airstrips in areas under insurgent group’s control deliver aid. united nations world food programme considering return southern somalia, withdrew in 2010 after threats rebel group al-shabaab. estimates there 1 million people in areas cannot access. in july 2011, al-shabaab announced had withdrawn restrictions on international humanitarian workers, , aid organizations allowed in.

however, on 22 july, group stated ban on organizations remains in place. in statement, al-shabaab s spokesman sheikh ali dhere indicated organization had no issue allowing muslims , non-muslims drought affected people , permitted work if not have other interests . stated banned agencies belong 2 categories: acting spies, while others, including un, have political agenda, doing nothing claiming . criticized aid agencies providing assistance in neighboring countries, stating luring needy people food in order teach them christianity. hassan liban, director of british charity islamic relief has managed gain access through negotiations, said al-shabaab not keen on emergency relief not tied longer-term programmes people recover livelihoods. stated organisation wants send food, say: give food , go away . if s sustainable , planned allow work.

al-shabaab members have allegedly intimidated, kidnapped , killed aid workers, leading partial suspension of humanitarian operations in southern somalia. ethiopia , un accuse eritrean government of backing insurgents. on 28 july, african union peacekeepers launched major offensive against al-shabaab militants in northern mogadishu, somalia, in effort protect famine relief efforts attacks. 6 killed during conflict, , key territory seized insurgents. al-shabaab has sent 300 reinforcement fighters mogadishu in preceding days, according lt. col. paddy ankunda, spokesman au peacekeeping force in somalia. stated action further increase security ... , ensure aid agencies can continue operate vital supplies internally displaced. of 1 august, beginning of ramadan, african union offensive in ongoing. however, au intelligence sources said insurgents planning counteroffensive during month of fasting.

a girl stands amid graves of 70 children on outskirts of dadaab. long desert journey relief camps has claimed many lives.

on 6 august 2011, reuters reported transitional federal government s troops , amisom allies managed capture of mogadishu al-shabaab militants. witnesses reported al-shabaab vehicles abandoning bases in capital south-central city of baidoa. group s spokesman sheikh ali mohamud rage described exodus tactical retreat, , vowed continue insurgency against national government. observers have suggested pullout may @ least in part have been caused internal ideological rifts in rebel organization.

on 4 july 2011, prime minister of somalia abdiweli mohamed ali appointed national committee tackle severe drought affecting southern part of country. committee consists of several federal-level members of government, including ministers of defense, health, interior, finance, public works, women s affairs , information. tasked assessing , addressing needs of drought-impacted segments of population.

on 13 august, prime minister ali announced creation of new 300-man security force in response discussions un officials situation in mogadishu. un stated earlier in week aid reaching around 20% of drought-affected peoples, of famine-stricken areas still controlled al-shabaab rebels. assisted african peacekeepers, new military unit have primary goal protect convoys , food aid, secure idp camps when relief supplies being distributed. besides helping stabilize city, new protection force tasked combating looting , banditry in addition other vices.

the somali national army (sna) , somali police force (spf) have ramped security operations in wake of drought.

on 16 august, neela ghoshal, official human rights watch, told reuters group had received complaints of government soldiers robbing civilians. however, voice of america reported earlier in month that, according witnesses @ camp in mogadishu, men dressed government troops began stealing food rations, after point government soldiers guarding supplies opened fire on looters. in response incident, somalian government forces commander general abdikarim dhengobadan denied men responsible looting. information minister of somalia abdirahman omar osman , amisom commander paddy akunda have accused al-shabaab militants of disguising somalian government soldiers before attacking government , amisom positions. despite this, according un, security situation in capital has improved since withdrawal of al-shabaab militants, facilitating scaling of relief efforts in region.

on 13 october 2011, 2 women spain employed aid workers doctors without borders @ dadaab refugee camp kidnapped gunmen. u.n. temporarily suspended non-lifesaving aid operations @ dadaab. spanish branch of medecins sans frontieres (doctors without borders) announced 49 expatriate staff working charity evacuated nairobi, leaving 343 local staff members in dadaab. activities such registering new arrivals , journeying outside camp meet refugees walking final miles suspended. in december 2011, 3 somali aid workers shot , killed in central somalian town of mataban. 2 of workers un world food programme employees , third worked partner organization. gunman turned himself in local authorities.

in october 2011 coordinated operation, operation linda nchi, between somalian military , kenyan military, began against al-shabaab militants, alleged have kidnapped several foreign aid workers , tourists inside kenya. according ethiopian foreign minister, mission represents 1 of final stages of islamist insurgency.