The untimely ban lift by Al-shabab, forced by embarrassment

Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab has lifted a ban on foreign aid agencies, as the region is hit by its worst drought in 60 years.
Al-Shabab imposed the ban in 2009, accusing them of being anti-Muslim.
It now says all charities, whether "Muslims or non-Muslims", can give emergency aid as long as they have "no hidden agenda".
An al-Shabab spokesman, Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, said the group had formed a committee to deal with the drought and aid agencies would have to liaise with it.

Why now of all the time?
Analysts say the move may have been prompted by the embarrassment al-Shabab feels about the exodus of Somalis leaving areas they control in search of food.
However, it is not clear how charities will operate, as al-Shabab wants them to give emergency relief with its approval, they say.
It is also believed that Al-shabab lifted the ban to generate money to fund their war effort. Al Shabaab previously told aid agencies to pay a hefty registration fee. Tweet