The Somali government has acknowledged its negligence following accusations of damaging a warehouse funded by the U.S. and confiscating 76 tons of food aid meant for its citizens.
In early January, the State Department halted aid, citing troubling reports that the Somali government was involved in destroying World Food Program warehouses and misappropriating donor-funded food. They stated they would cease “all ongoing” aid to Somalia.
The State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance commented that, “Any resumption of assistance relies on the federal government of Somalia taking responsibility for its inappropriate actions and implementing necessary corrective measures.”
Initially, Somalia denied these claims, contending that the expansion of Mogadishu’s port—where the U.S.-funded warehouses are located—did not affect food aid. They maintained that such aid remains “under the control of the World Food Programme, including what is provided by the United States.”
However, on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a release that seemingly retracted their previous stance.
It stated, “The Federal Government of Somalia confirms that the goods removed due to port expansion activities have been fully returned to the World Food Program (WFP). The federal government takes full responsibility for this unfortunate incident and expresses regret that it occurred.”
Additionally, Somalia mentioned providing a “larger and more suitable warehouse within the Mogadishu port area, enhancing storage capacity and logistical efficiency.”
The government has committed to investigating the incident and taking measures to avert similar issues in the future.
They reiterated, “The Federal Government of Somalia is dedicated to humanitarian principles, transparency, and accountability, and values its partnership with the World Food Program, the United States, and the broader international donor community. This clarification is seen as an important step towards resolving the matter and ensuring continued cooperation in support of the Somali people.”
The United States is the primary donor to WFP, contributing around $2 billion in 2025, which represents nearly one-third of WFP’s total budget.
Neither the State Department nor the WFP responded to requests for comments.
