The Federal Government of Somalia has rejected allegations raised by the United States Department of State regarding a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu, insisting that all humanitarian commodities remain under the custody and control of the UN agency.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Thursday, the government said it had taken note of the US statement but sought to clarify the situation surrounding the warehouse and ongoing port development activities in the capital.
“The Federal Government of Somalia has taken note of the statement issued by the United States Department of State regarding allegations related to a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse,” the statement read.
Somalia stressed that the commodities referenced in recent reports, including food assistance provided by the United States, are fully managed by WFP and have not been interfered with by Somali authorities.
“The Government wishes to clarify that the commodities referenced in recent reports remain under the custody and control of the World Food Programme, including assistance provided by the United States,” it said.
According to the statement, the warehouse in question is located within the Mogadishu Port area, where expansion and repurposing works are currently underway as part of broader port development projects.
The government said these infrastructure works have not disrupted humanitarian operations.
“The Government further clarifies that the WFP warehouse in question is located within the Mogadishu Port area, where ongoing expansion and repurposing works are underway as part of broader port development activities,” the ministry said, adding that “these operations have not affected the custody, management, or distribution of humanitarian assistance.”
The clarification comes amid concerns raised internationally over the safety and management of humanitarian supplies amid large-scale infrastructure projects at the port, a critical entry point for food and relief supplies into Somalia.
The government said it is actively addressing concerns related to the port expansion through a technical inter-agency committee working in coordination with humanitarian partners.
“In response to the concerns raised from the port expansion activities, the Federal Government continues to review this matter through a technical inter-agency committee in coordination with humanitarian partners,” the statement said.
Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian principles, transparency and accountability, and underscored the importance of its partnership with international donors, particularly the United States.
“The Federal Government of Somalia remains fully committed to humanitarian principles, transparency, and accountability, and values its partnership with the United States and all international donors,” the ministry said.
The clarification follows an announcement by the United States on Wednesday, stopping all federal assistance programmes that support Somalia’s federal government following allegations that senior officials destroyed a warehouse and unlawfully took large quantities of donated food meant for vulnerable people.
The said officials allegedly seized 76 metric tons of donor-supported food assistance from a US-funded World Food Programme warehouse.
In a social media post, the Trump administration said it was “deeply concerned by reports that Federal Government of Somalia officials have destroyed a US-funded World Food Programme warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid for vulnerable Somalis.”
The post added, “The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance.”
The announcement was made through the social media account of the US State Department’s Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom.
The aid suspension comes against a backdrop of growing tension between the Trump administration and Somali communities, both in Somalia and within the United States.
In recent months, the administration has taken steps that include tighter limits on Somali immigration, air strikes against armed groups inside Somalia, and public criticism directed at Somali Americans.
