Washington has announced an immediate suspension of all U.S. assistance programs that directly benefit the Somali federal government, citing allegations that officials mishandled and seized humanitarian food aid funded by the World Food Programme (WFP). The Trump administration revealed the decision in a statement posted online on Wednesday, calling the incident a serious breach of trust.
According to U.S. officials, Somali authorities reportedly demolished a WFP warehouse in Mogadishu and seized roughly 76 tons of specialized nutritional supplies meant for vulnerable populations. The administration condemned the alleged seizure and reiterated what it described as a “zero-tolerance approach” toward the misuse of humanitarian resources.
A senior State Department official, speaking confidentially, said a formal review is underway to determine whether ongoing programs should be paused, moved, or canceled. The official criticized the Somali government, claiming that U.S.-backed projects had suffered from poor accountability mechanisms and weak oversight.
The Somali government firmly rejected the accusations, calling the U.S. assessment inaccurate. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Somali officials said construction work and relocation activities at Mogadishu Port had required the evacuation of the warehouse, but denied that aid was stolen or diverted. The ministry insisted that all WFP commodities remained under the organization’s control throughout the process.
Further accounts from humanitarian staff paint a more complex picture. A WFP representative told reporters that approximately 75 tons of food had already been retrieved and transported to another storage site pending laboratory inspections to confirm suitability for consumption. An internal document from the Mogadishu Port Authority, reviewed by reporters, confirmed that WFP had taken possession of the goods.
A WFP staff member in Mogadishu said the demolition occurred without prior coordination with the humanitarian team, but stressed that there was no evidence of looting. The individual noted that the warehouse specialized in storing therapeutic food products intended for malnourished children, mothers, and other high-risk groups. The agency previously warned that Somalia’s hunger crisis remains severe, with millions facing acute food insecurity.
The controversy adds pressure to an already strained bilateral relationship. While previous administrations invested heavily in Somalia’s stabilization and development efforts, recent shifts in U.S. policy have tightened immigration rules targeting Somali nationals, sparked political disputes with diaspora communities, and reduced foreign assistance budgets. Somalia’s diplomatic tensions have also intensified in recent months following regional developments, including Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state-an issue that Mogadishu strongly opposes.
The financial impact of the suspension is not yet clear. U.S. foreign aid to Somalia exceeded $770 million under former President Biden, though only a limited share flowed directly through Somali government channels. Analysts suggest the freeze could disrupt ongoing programs unless new agreements are reached or oversight mechanisms are strengthened.
In a separate announcement Thursday, the U.S. mission in South Sudan confirmed it was restricting aid to certain regions over similar concerns involving interference and misappropriation, signaling a broader push for stricter compliance across U.S. humanitarian efforts in East Africa.
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