U.S. halts aid to Somali gov't over food aid seizure allegations

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it has halted all U.S. assistance to Somalia's government over allegations that Somali officials have destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized food aid for vulnerable Somalis.

"The State Department has paused all ongoing U.S. assistance programs which benefit the Somali Federal Government," the department said in a statement on X.

The U.S. State Department said it is deeply concerned by reports that officials with the Somali government have destroyed a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid for vulnerable Somalis.

"Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government, taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps," it said.

Warehouse in Mogadishu port has been demolished by port authorities, said a WFP spokesperson, cited by Washington Examiner. The warehouse contained specialized nutritious foods intended for the treatment of malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women, girls and children, the spokesperson said.

"The warehouse is crucial for WFP's emergency operations at a moment when almost a quarter of the population (4.4 million people) are facing crisis levels of hunger or worse in Somalia," the WFP spokesperson said, adding that the agency is actively engaging with authorities and partners to address this issue.