UN report: Much of Somalia's food aid diverted

UNITED NATIONS - Up to half the food aid intended for the millions of hungry people in Somalia is being diverted to corrupt contractors, radical Islamic militants and local U.N. workers, according to a U.N. Security Council report.

The report blames the problem on improper food distribution by the U.N. World Food Program in the African nation, which has been plagued by fighting and humanitarian suffering for nearly two decades, according to a U.N. diplomat. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not yet been released.

It calls on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to authorize an independent investigation of the Rome-based food agency's operation in Somalia.

In this photo taken on Jan. 16, 2009, Bare Ali Bare, center, a senior military commander of the Hizb Al-Islam rebel group of Somalia, speaks during a press conference in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia. Four masked gunmen shot dead an Islamist commander in the capital's Bakara market, a spokesman for the insurgency said. It was unclear who killed Barre Ali Barre, head of the military wing of the Party of Islam or Hizbul Islam, said spokesman Sheik Ibrahim Barre Osman.

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, currently the President of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government talks during a news conference in central London, Tuesday March 9, 2010. Sheikh Ahmed, who was one of the most senior leaders of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a hard-line Islamist militia movement in Somalia is currently in Britain seeking support for his government.

I'd guess the U.N. food aid was diverted to Somali TFG troops, for weapons purchases or for their secret Swiss bank accounts.

Meanwhile, half of Somalia is under Al-Shabaab control and they are starving.

Somalia has always held the dubious honor of being a failed state since the overthrow of socialist dictator Siad Barre since 1991.

Which do you think is the most corrupt of the 3 mentioned?

Contractors? (Contracted by whom?)

Islamic radicals.

or the UN workers....

I’m placing my Ramen Noodle flavor packet on the UN workers.

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