The US has suspended all assistance to the government of Somalia, alleging that officials destroyed a UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized 'donor-funded food aid'.
'The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,' said a US state department statement on X.
The message, posted on the account of the under secretary for foreign assistance, stated that reports had been received regarding officials illegally seizing 76 tonnes of food intended for 'vulnerable Somalis'.
Any resumption of assistance would depend on the Somali government 'taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps', it emphasized.
Despite withdrawing from several UN organizations under President Donald Trump, the US remains the largest contributor to the WFP, providing approximately $2 billion (£1.5 billion) in 2025 — nearly a third of its total funding.
The Somali government, which has been battling al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants while trying to rebuild following a devastating civil war and years of drought, has not yet commented on the allegations.
This incident marks the latest strain in Washington and Mogadishu's relationship. Last month, Trump criticized Somali migrants living in the US, suggesting they should 'go back to where they came from'.
Meanwhile, the Somali community in Minnesota faces increased scrutiny amid allegations of significant benefit fraud.
The relationship has further soured with the recent recognition by Israel of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, a move that has angered the Somali government.
The food aid in question was intended to assist people suffering from the effects of drought, floods, conflict, high food prices, and dwindling harvests. WFP data indicates that around 4.6 million people in Somalia are currently facing levels of crisis hunger.
'The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,' said a US state department statement on X.
The message, posted on the account of the under secretary for foreign assistance, stated that reports had been received regarding officials illegally seizing 76 tonnes of food intended for 'vulnerable Somalis'.
Any resumption of assistance would depend on the Somali government 'taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps', it emphasized.
Despite withdrawing from several UN organizations under President Donald Trump, the US remains the largest contributor to the WFP, providing approximately $2 billion (£1.5 billion) in 2025 — nearly a third of its total funding.
The Somali government, which has been battling al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants while trying to rebuild following a devastating civil war and years of drought, has not yet commented on the allegations.
This incident marks the latest strain in Washington and Mogadishu's relationship. Last month, Trump criticized Somali migrants living in the US, suggesting they should 'go back to where they came from'.
Meanwhile, the Somali community in Minnesota faces increased scrutiny amid allegations of significant benefit fraud.
The relationship has further soured with the recent recognition by Israel of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, a move that has angered the Somali government.
The food aid in question was intended to assist people suffering from the effects of drought, floods, conflict, high food prices, and dwindling harvests. WFP data indicates that around 4.6 million people in Somalia are currently facing levels of crisis hunger.
