In the face of growing intense violence across the country, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed finally declared a state of emergency. Islamic militia has been engaging pro government forces since May 7 and there is no end in sight to the fierce battles. The UN backed government has asked for foreign intervention to control the situation.

The radical Islamic militia controls large parts of the country and is suspected to have links with Al- Qaeda. A suicide bomber recently killed 34 people including the Security Minister. The African Union peacekeepers cannot attack Islamist hardliners. Somalia is once again asking support from African Union member states and larger international communities to bring the situation under control.

It remains to be seen which African countries respond to this SOS call. Somalia is worst hit by internal strife and now almost one-third of its population is in need of food aid. The state of this African country is worse than other African countries. Torn between militia and UN backed fragile government the country finally seems to be in dire straits.

Via BBC