Relations between Somalia and the United States have hit a low point after Washington announced it would pause aid benefiting the Somali government, following the demolition of a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu.
The U.S. State Department said Somali officials destroyed the warehouse and illegally seized donor-funded food aid meant for vulnerable citizens. A WFP spokesperson confirmed that 75 metric tons of nutritional commodities intended for malnourished women, children, and girls were recovered and transferred to another warehouse.
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Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disputed claims that the aid was stolen, stating the food remained under WFP custody and that demolition and repurposing works at the port had not affected distribution.
The U.S. stated that resumption of aid would depend on the Somali government providing accountability and remedial actions. The suspension follows broader tensions, including past immigration restrictions on Somali citizens and investigations into fraud allegations involving nonprofit groups in the Somali-American community.
