Somali Islamists maintain aid ban and deny famine

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14246764

Somalia's al-Shabab Islamists have denied lifting their ban on some Western aid agencies and say UN reports of famine are "sheer propaganda".

The UN on Wednesday said that parts of Somalia were suffering a famine after the worst drought in 60 years.

A spokesman for al-Shabab, which has ties to al-Qaeda and controls much of the country, accused the banned groups of being political.

But the UN insists famine exists and it will continue its aid efforts.

[aquart]

1. That's nice, dear. What have they done with the men?

Why is it women and children in Dadaab?

[Igel]

2. The men are there, I'm sure.

Which is probably why the women and children need the food aid.