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Somali Islamists Prevent Starving Christians From Receiving Food

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

KHARTOUM, SUDAN (Worthy News)-- The latest famine in Somalia has resulted in thousands of deaths, but though aid is reaching some affected areas, Islamists of Al-Shabaab are controlling its distribution, preventing Christians from receiving food and causing many of them to starve.

"So far, we are aware of 18 Somali Christians who have died of starvation in the last three months in the cities of Afgoye, Baidawa, and Kismayo," said a Somali church leader. "There are reports from other Al-Shabaab-controlled areas that more Christians are starving as they are denied of food aid, or the opportunity to move to government-controlled territories where they can get help."

"Any Somali that the Islamists suspect to be a Christian, or even a friend of Christians, does not receive any food aid," said a leader of a local underground church. "However, denying us food aid is not really the worst thing they could do to us: These Islamists have previously killed many of our church members and they could kill more and get away with it!"

"We are extremely concerned about the famine in Somalia," said Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa. "Al-Shabaab has exacerbated the plight of the Somali Christians by denying them food aid. Al-Shabaab’s actions have affected both Muslims and Christians, but Somalia’s Christian minorities are suffering the most because of Al-Shabaab’s senseless killings and intentional starvation. The international community must realize the vulnerability of this minority and take decisive action to alleviate their suffering."