Somalia’s government has firmly rejected accusations from the United States that Somali officials seized or destroyed food aid funded by the U.S. through the World Food Programme (WFP), calling the allegations “unfounded” and insisting that all humanitarian supplies remain under WFP control. The dispute has prompted Washington to pause its assistance to Somalia’s federal government pending a full investigation into the matter.
The controversy centers on reports that Somali authorities demolished a WFP warehouse at Mogadishu Port that held approximately 75–76 metric tons of food aid, including specialised nutritional supplies meant for vulnerable groups such as malnourished women and children. U.S. officials, posting on social media platform X, said the suspension of assistance reflects a “zero‑tolerance policy for waste, theft and diversion of life‑saving assistance.”
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded swiftly, stating that the supplies in question were never seized and remain under the custody and management of the WFP, including aid provided by the United States. The ministry said that ongoing expansion and redevelopment works at the Mogadishu Port, where the warehouse was located, have not impacted the storage, custody or distribution of humanitarian assistance, contradicting the U.S. account.
The WFP itself acknowledged that the Mogadishu port warehouse was demolished in the course of port activities, but later confirmed that the 75 metric tons of nutritional commodities were retrieved. These commodities are critical to emergency operations at a time when millions of Somalis face acute food insecurity and widespread malnutrition due to conflict, drought and climate shocks.
The aid suspension comes amid broader strains in U.S.–Somalia relations under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has tightened immigration and visa policies affecting Somali nationals and refugees. The pause on government assistance has raised concerns among humanitarian organisations, given Somalia’s heavy reliance on foreign aid for food security, health services and support for displaced populations.
Analysts warn that withholding assistance at a critical juncture could exacerbate famine‑like conditions, especially since Somalia ranks among the world’s poorest nations and has consistently faced climate‑driven emergencies and insecurity. Aid agencies and donor partners have called for transparency, accountability and continued cooperation to ensure that food relief reaches those in greatest need as investigations continue.
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