Somalis riot over food prices

MOGADISHU, Somalia (CNN) -- Thousands of people rioted in the streets of the Somali capital on Monday to protest rising food prices and shops' refusal to accept Somali currency.

Witnesses said two protesters were shot dead by Somali soldiers who were guarding buildings that were attacked by demonstrators.

Abdinur Farah told The Associated Press his uncle was one of those killed.

His uncle was shot as he marched with his two wives and six children, Farah told the AP.

"He was just peacefully expressing his feelings," AP quoted Farah as saying. "It is saddening that the very government which is supposed to support him killed him."

Abdi Ud, a journalist with Somalia's Shabelle Media Network, said the protesters were angry because Mogadishu shopkeepers refused to accept Somali shillings and instead demanded payment in U.S. dollars.

Shops throughout the city closed down in fear of the demonstrations, he said. Watch footage of the violence »

The United Nations recently warned of "a deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Somalia as a result of soaring food prices and a worsening drought.

"About 2.6 million Somalis now need assistance -- more than a third of the country's population, representing a rise of 40 percent since January," according to a May 2 U.N. news release.

The problem in Mogadishu has been compounded by heavy fighting between Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian troops, and Islamist fighters.

Parts of the Somali capital have been described as ghost towns because of the exodus of thousands of residents because of the fighting, which has surged in recent weeks.

The U.N. says 7,000 people fled the capital after bloody battles last month, joining a population of displaced Somalis that aid groups estimate tops 1 million. E-mail to a friend

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