The following is a statement from the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs and U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia's report.

"The UN Monitoring Group's report suggests that Somalia's instability is perpetuated by a growing war economy that sadly but unsurprisingly includes government officials.  This underscores the critical need for greater controls to ensure transparency and accountability as we provide further assistance to the Transitional Federal Government.  The international community should investigate and hold accountable those officials believed to be misusing assistance or engaging in illegal activities such as visa fraud. Such action could include visa bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on U.S. assistance.

"I am deeply troubled by the report's finding that significant humanitarian aid is being diverted to armed opposition groups.  This information is particularly disturbing given how critical that assistance is to sustaining the Somali people.  It is unacceptable that al Shebaab and other armed opposition groups are able to steal aid intended to prevent people from dying of starvation and I am pleased that the World Food Program has agreed to cooperate with an independent investigation.  I urge the international community to immediately explore alternative ways to provide humanitarian assistance.

"The needs and stakes in Somalia are too high for the international community to retreat to the sidelines, but the Monitoring Group's report is a clear reminder that we cannot just provide aid and hope for the best.  We need a strategy that reflects a better understanding of the political and economic dynamics in the country if we are to see genuine progress in Somalia."