MOGADISHU: Somalia on Saturday called for the creation of a special humanitarian force to protect food aid convoys and camps in the famine-hit Horn of Africa country.
The government and a 9,000-strong African peacekeeping force admit they do not control all of the capital even after the terrorist rebel withdrawal, placing thousands of Somali refugees who are streaming into Mogadishu searching for food in danger.
The pullout by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab terrorists insurgents has raised hopes that humanitarian groups will be able to step up aid deliveries after years of obstruction by the militant group.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali held a joint news conference with Valerie Amos, UN emergency relief coordinator, visiting the capital.
“We met today with Valerie Amos ... we have discussed the current humanitarian situation in Somalia and the best way that we can assist with humanitarian aid to the people,” said Ali. “We have also raised the issue of creating a special humanitarian force, which has dual purposes. First to secure and protect the food aid convoy, and to protect the camps and stabilize the city and fight banditry and looting.”
Ali did not say who would make up such a force.
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