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MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has confirmed the full recovery of all food commodities removed from a warehouse at Mogadishu Port during ongoing expansion activities, with the supplies being officially handed back to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to ensure the continuity of relief operations.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that the government takes full responsibility for this incident, describing it as “unfortunate” and expressing deep regret over such events that do not reflect the state’s official policy toward humanitarian partners and the international community.
The Ministry clarified that the government’s action sought to rectify the status of commodities affected by necessary port expansion works, asserting that all shipments have been securely and fully restored to ensure they reach the targeted segments of the Somali people without any further delay.
Within the framework of strengthening relief infrastructure, the government announced the allocation of a new warehouse for the WFP within the Mogadishu Port premises, featuring a larger area and superior technical specifications to enhance storage efficiency and facilitate future distribution in secure conditions.
These Somali measures come in response to previous international reports expressing concerns regarding the fate of approximately 76 metric tonnes of food aid and the subsequent temporary suspension of certain vital humanitarian programs supported by the United States of America.
The statement noted that relevant authorities will commence a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, while working diligently to develop direct communication and coordination mechanisms with international organizations to avoid any similar logistical issues or misunderstandings in the future.
Mogadishu reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to global humanitarian principles, transparency, and accountability, emphasizing that safeguarding international aid, securing its pathways, and facilitating the work of relief teams remains a top national priority for the Federal Government amidst current challenges.
The statement further praised the close strategic partnership between Somalia, the WFP, the United States, and all international donors, valuing their pivotal and ongoing role in supporting social stability and bolstering food security for Somalia’s most vulnerable communities.
The Ministry concluded by affirming that settling this matter reflects the state’s sincere resolve to enhance cooperation with the international community and ensure the smooth flow of humanitarian assistance to serve shared developmental and relief aspirations between Somalia and its global partners.
This diplomatic move underscores the Somali government’s keenness to rebuild trust with international donors, particularly Washington, following a technical incident that threatened to impact relief flows. It comes at a vital time as Somalia seeks to assert its administrative sovereignty while remaining fully committed to international standards for protecting aid destined for civilians.
