The United States announced Thursday it will restart food distribution in Somalia, ending a three-week pause triggered by reports of government interference. The move follows Somalia’s pledge to ensure aid reaches vulnerable communities. 🚚💨
Earlier this month, Washington halted shipments after Somali officials seized 76 metric tons of World Food Programme (WFP) supplies during port renovations. U.S. officials demanded accountability, while Somalia argued the demolition of a warehouse was part of infrastructure upgrades. 🔧⚖️
On Wednesday, Somalia confirmed all seized food had been returned and offered WFP a larger warehouse in Mogadishu. The U.S. State Department praised the steps, posting on X: "We will resume WFP food distribution while continuing to review our broader assistance posture." 🇺🇸🤝
This comes amid broader scrutiny of U.S. aid under President Donald Trump, who has slashed global assistance programs over the past year. Meanwhile, Somali communities in the U.S., particularly in Minnesota, face heightened immigration enforcement and fraud allegations. 🛂🔍
Analysts say the resumption signals cautious diplomacy but highlights ongoing tensions between accountability and urgent humanitarian needs. 🌐⚡
