Food Aid and Fragile Trust: Somalia Seeks to Reassure Donors After Dispute

MOGADISHU, Somalia — As cranes and heavy machinery continue reshaping the Port of Mogadishu, Somalia’s federal government is working to repair strained relations with key donors after a dispute over a humanitarian food warehouse prompted the United States to suspend some assistance.

Late Saturday, the government said all food aid removed from a warehouse affected by port expansion had been fully returned to the World Food Programme, acknowledging responsibility for the incident and expressing regret.

“All humanitarian commodities removed from the affected facility have been returned in full to the World Food Programme,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to humanitarian principles and cooperation with international partners.

The controversy centers on the so-called “blue warehouse,” a donor-funded facility located within the port area that authorities say was earmarked for redevelopment as part of expansion works. The government said it has since allocated a larger and more suitable warehouse for WFP use inside the port, aiming to ensure uninterrupted aid deliveries to vulnerable communities.

Officials also conceded that the episode exposed gaps in coordination and communication with donors and aid agencies. The Foreign Ministry said it would review the circumstances surrounding the incident and introduce safeguards to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

The clarification followed sharp criticism from Washington, which accused Somali officials of demolishing a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse and illegally seizing donor-funded food supplies. In response, the United States announced it would pause certain forms of assistance benefiting the Somali government.

A senior U.S. State Department official for foreign assistance said the handling of the warehouse and food stocks raised serious concerns about respect for humanitarian operations and donor agreements.

Somali authorities have maintained that the port works did not compromise the custody, management or distribution of humanitarian aid. In its latest statement, the government emphasized its “full commitment to transparency and accountability,” describing its partnership with WFP, the United States and other donors as essential as millions of Somalis continue to face food insecurity.

With the country heavily reliant on international aid, officials said resolving the dispute was critical to restoring confidence and ensuring humanitarian cooperation continues at a time of deep economic and humanitarian strain.

GAROWE ONLINE