US Halts Aid to Somali Government Amid Allegations of Food Diversion
The United States has suspended all ongoing assistance to Somalia’s federal government following allegations that donor-funded food supplies meant for vulnerable civilians were misappropriated, further straining already fragile relations between Washington and Mogadishu.
US State Department officials announced the decision on Wednesday, citing reports that Somali authorities were involved in the destruction of a warehouse funded by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the unlawful seizure of large quantities of food aid.
The move was made public via a post on X by the US Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom.
Referencing Washington’s strict stance on aid management, the official stressed the country’s “zero-tolerance policy” for misuse of assistance, adding that reports indicated Somali officials “destroyed a US-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid for vulnerable Somalis.”
According to US officials, the suspension will remain in place until the Somali Federal Government demonstrates accountability and takes concrete steps to address the alleged violations.
They noted that any future support would be “dependent on the Somali Federal Government taking accountability” and resolving the matter.
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has for decades grappled with conflict, food insecurity and weak state institutions, and is consistently ranked by the United Nations among the world’s least developed countries. As of the time of filing this report, Somali authorities had not issued an official response to the aid suspension.
The development comes amid a broader downturn in US–Somalia relations. In recent weeks, Washington has intensified scrutiny of Somali communities in the United States, including immigration raids in Minnesota and allegations of widespread public benefits fraud involving members of the Somali diaspora, estimated at about 80,000 people in the state.
Tensions were further heightened in November when US President Donald Trump revoked Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants, accusing them of criminal activity and stating, “send them back to where they came from.”
Beyond domestic policy disputes, diplomatic friction has also emerged over regional geopolitics. Israel’s recent decision to formally recognize Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991, has drawn international reactions.
The move, backed by the United States, was criticised by Egypt, Turkey, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, while the European Union reiterated that Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.
Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden has heightened its geopolitical significance, particularly given its proximity to Yemen. However, Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab has warned it would resist any attempt by Israel to establish a presence in the territory.
Despite maintaining its own currency, passports and security forces, Somaliland has long struggled for international recognition, making the latest developments another sensitive chapter in the complex political dynamics of the Horn of Africa.
