At a summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, President Vladimir V. Putin offered free grain as he sought to shore up ties with the continent. But lower-than-hoped-for attendance among African leaders hinted at tempering support.
An official declaration of famine would unleash aid and attention. Some experts say Somalia shows that the international system for making the judgment is broken.
The twin explosions were the deadliest terrorist attack in the country in five years and underscored the growing threat posed by the terrorist group Al Shabab.