Somalia declares emergency

Mogadishu, Jun 22 (Prensa Latina) Somalia President Sharif Sheik Ahmed declared a state of emergency and seeks support from neighboring countries amid flaring violence and advance by opposition troops in an offensive started May 7.

A related source said the decision needs a Parliamentary review.

Somalia requested emergency aid from Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen after admitting to weakness due to advances by Islamic troops led by Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

According to the UN, the wave of violence unleashed since 1991 has claimed over 120,000 lives and has led over 400,000 displaced to seek shelter in refugee camps.

Somalia ranks among the poorest countries in Africa in terms of poverty and hunger, a situation worsened by the global crisis, conflicts, piracy and extreme drought.