US resumes food aid to Somalia
Africa
By
AFP
| Jan 29, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage to speak during a rally at the Horizon Events Centre on January 27, 2026 in Clive, Iowa. [AFP]
The United States on Thursday announced the resumption of food distribution in Somalia, weeks after the destruction of a US-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse at Mogadishu's port.
In early January, Washington suspended aid to Somalia over reports of theft and government interference, saying Somali officials had "illegally seized 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid meant for vulnerable Somalis."
US officials then warned any future aid would depend on the Somali government taking accountability, a stance Mogadishu countered by saying the warehouse demolition was part of the port's "expansion and repurposing works."
On Wednesday, however, the Somali government said "all WFP commodities affected by port expansion have been returned".
READ MORE
Kenya's trade deficit widens to Sh1.6tr on raised maize imports
How startups are using tech to solve farmers' biggest challenges
Why State is in rush to push job creation in cotton value chain
Revealed: How SMEs are losing millions to lack of circular economy certification rules
Conservation pays: How protecting rivers has built a rural economy
The rent-a-stress economy blowing into a full-scale economic liquidity crisis
Smart Applications AI app to reduce claims fraud, up quality
Africa's invoice is now being written to those who owe it
Two Rivers SEZ TRIFIC lists Sh4.8b green building fund on NSE
Kenya Airways and Rubis in Sh10.6b green jet fuel refinery pact
In a statement Somalia said it "takes full responsibility" and has "provided the World Food Program with a larger and more suitable warehouse within the Mogadishu port area."
The US State Department said in a post on X that: "We will resume WFP food distribution while continuing to review our broader assistance posture in Somalia."
"The Trump Administration maintains a firm zero tolerance policy for waste, theft, or diversion of US resources," it said.
US president Donald Trump has slashed aid over the past year globally.
Somalis in the United States have also become a particular target for the administration in recent weeks, targeted in immigration raids.
They have also been accused of large-scale public benefit fraud in Minnesota, which has the largest Somali community in the country with around 80,000 members.