Looming Crisis In Somalia

(27 Mar 08 - RV) Somalia's Islamist fighters seized control of the town of Jowhar yesterday, the most
significant of several towns captured in recent months from the interim government. Seven people including a child were killed in the attack, which highlights the government's inability to assert its authority on Somalia despite support from Ethiopian and African Union troops.
Also yesterday forty aid agencies urged the world to focus attention on what they called a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the country, where hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from war, drought and food shortages. A 15-month Islamist-led insurgency, which has killed more than 6,500 people, has seen a resurgence in recent months.
Bishop Giorgio Bertin, Apostolic Administrator to the Capital Mogadishu says the situation is beyond critical.