US suspends assistance to Somali government for alleged seizure of aid

In January 2026, the U.S. government suspended all assistance to Somalia, alleging that Somali officials destroyed a World Food Programme warehouse containing U.S.-funded food aid. The Trump administration accused Somali officials of seizing 76 metric tons of donor-funded food intended for vulnerable Somalis. The announcement was made via social media by the U.S. State Department's Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance. Somali officials have not yet responded to the allegations. This action follows a trend of increased criticism and restrictions from the Trump administration towards Somalis, both in the U.S. and in Somalia, including increased airstrikes and racist attacks against the Somali community in the U.S.

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