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 emerged about 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 concluded.
Although the US has withdrawn from several UN organisations under President Donald Trump, it remains by far the largest contributor to the WFP, paying $2bn in 2025 - almost a third of its funding.
The Somali government, which faces a prolonged battle against al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants while trying to rebuild after a devastating civil war and years of drought, has yet to comment.
This incident marks a continuation of the deteriorating relations between the United States and Somalia. In a previous statement, US President Trump criticized Somali migrants, suggesting they return to their home country.
Moreover, recent immigration raids have targeted Somali communities in the US amid allegations of large-scale benefit fraud by some.
The situation is compounded by Israel's recognition of the breakaway republic of Somaliland - a move that has further strained relations with Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland part of its territory.
The aid that was allegedly seized was intended to support Somalis dealing with the consequences of drought, floods, conflicts, high food prices, and dwindling harvests, according to WFP reports.
Currently, approximately 4.6 million people in Somalia are experiencing crisis levels of hunger.
