Somalia Food Giveaway

"They want to take advantage of the hungry people, in order to get child recruits.'' -Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed, the transitional government's information minister.

The article "Somalia Food Giveaway in Al Qaeda's Name Raises Questions and Criticism" written by Jeffrey Gettleman, is reporting on the current famine in Somalia. Gettleman talks about the reputations and expectations of al Qaeda and the Shabab, along with what each of their stands are. Although he noted that al Qaeda had "come to Somalia on behalf of Ayman al-Zawahri, Al Qaeda's leader" with the intention "to help famine victims," he focused on the general skepticism towards their unconditional kindness. Mr. Zawahri states that, "[the Somalians] are consistently in our thoughts and prayers," which would portray him as a human natural rights activist and provider, but from the witnesses and photographs "[Mr. Zawakri] was surrounded by masked gunmen." However bizarre or unorthodox that may seem, they are there providing basic needs to people who are starving by the millions. The Shabab on the other hand, "pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda," and "ruthless militants." The refugee camps that have been instituted by the Shabab have "been essentially imprisoning thousands of starving people... at gunpoint." The al Qaeda camps at least are attempting to seem caring by providing those basic needs, where as the so called "following" group to the support is a militant power that is using the famine to their advantage. There is clearly not enough information about each group. There was a later report from the Somali officials who are insisting that "Al Qaeda is working hand in hand with the Shabab and that the food handout was simply propaganda." This would better reflect what we know of the two organizations, but nevertheless, we have documentation of at least basic provisions being sent out to the deprived in the al Qaeda camps. This catastrophe is far from over, and if this corruption and false information continues, then further action to provide at least the basic needs for the Somalian people must by the world.