Somalia: Danab missing food rations from US: The untold story

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia through the Ministry of Defence revealed for the first time that some soldiers linked to elite Danab commandos have been detained over missing food rations, which are donated by the government of United States.

The government explained the circumstances behind the decisions, accusing members of the force of diverting food rations to markets for commercial reasons, embedding their claims on 'thorough investigations' leading to the actions.

But the United States has already decided to its ration support for the elite Danab forces in June 2024, after revelations of significant equipment and ration misappropriation surfaced. The statement by the government of Somalia came long after the US had concluded.

Highly placed sources confirmed to Garowe Online that senior leaders within the Somali Ministry of Defense and the Somali National Army were aware of these diversions during combat operations against Al-Shabaab in late 2023, an exercise which was closely monitored by the US.

The U.S. decision was made in December 2023, following reports of corruption, including incidents where armed vehicles were allegedly sold in Mogadishu’s Bakara market. The market is known to be home to smuggled goods in the Horn of Africa nation.

In response to the leaked news, Somalia’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement last night, appreciating the U.S. support and stressing the strategic partnership in the fight against Al-Shabaab. However, sources suggest that the recent arrests of officers are seen as scapegoating, with more senior officials reportedly involved in the scandal.

In the press release, the ministry states that it has launched investigations to ensure accountability and transparency, with plans to gradually transition Danab’s logistic needs to Somali control, aiming for long-term sustainability.

“The Somali National Armed Forces over the past few years have enhanced their accountability measures in line with its reform agenda,” the statement read.

“During these investigations, the Somali National Armed Forces have reported a diversion of Danab rations within a unit of its forces. FGS [Federal Government of Somalia] takes these incidents seriously and has immediately launched an investigation which resulted in the suspension and detention of officers within the ranks to ensure accountability and transparency.”

The Somali government has not reported when the diversion took place and the type of rations diverted, but it said it “notified the incident to its stakeholders and will share the outcome of these investigations in due course.”

The United States has for close to a decade supported Danab commandos who are integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab, a group that has been fighting to dethrone the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

Analysts argue the decision by the IS should significantly impact the fight against Al-Shabaab, with the local troops now likely to strain without the support of international partners.

GAROWE ONLINE