UN Food-Aid Agency Official Detained in Somalia

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – The Somalia government is currently holding the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Mr. Idris Osman. Somalia’s government says Osman is being investigated for selling emergency food aid on Mogadishu markets and giving the profits to Islamic terrorist outfits.  Senior Presidential Advisor Adirizak Adam Hassan told VOA news that the allegations against Osman are: “[s]elling food in the market that was destined for the Somali destitute population and siphoning that money to his terror connections so that they can keep on fighting in Somalia.”

According to the WFP, dozens of uniformed and armed members of Somalia’s National Security Service (NSS) stormed the Organization’s compound on Wednesday, seized Osman, and took him to a cell at NSS headquarters, where he remains captive.  The WFP states they have yet to receive an official explanation for why Mr. Osman is being detained.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the incursion and detention of Mr. Osman and called for his “immediate and unconditional release,” noting that the Somali government’s actions are in violation of international agreements.

On Monday, WFP had resumed food distributions following a three-month suspension due to insecurity.  Following Mr. Osman’s arrest, WFP distributions are again suspended, leaving Somalis struggling with rising food prices and growing hunger.  According to WFP, more than 15 percent of all Somali children suffer acute malnutrition.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia told reporters that humanitarian workers in Somalia are impeded in their efforts to deliver aid and operate in a “climate of suspicion.” The upswing in violence among the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and other parties has resulted in suspicion from all sides towards the humanitarian community.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – Somalia confirms detention of UN food-aid agency staffer – 19 October 2007

AP – Somalia Detains UN Food Agency Staffer – 19 October 2007

AFP – WFP, Somalia government in standoff over detained UN Staffer – 19 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Somalia – Aid Delivery Impeded by ‘Suspicion’ From Government, Other Parties – 19 October 2007

VOA News – Somalia Alleges Detained UN Aid Worker Has Terror Ties – 19 October 2007

Author: Impunity Watch Archive