U.S. aid suspension threatens millions in Somalia, Juba

• As U.S. aid suspension takes effect due to theft allegations, famine looms for millions in Somalia and South Sudan, exposing Africa’s food security weaknesses.
• Warehouse demolition in Somalia and elite capture in South Sudan are the latest reminders that the Horn of Africa is moving toward humanitarian catastrophe.

In the fragile Horn of Africa and neighbouring regions, a perfect storm is brewing: conflict, climate shocks, and now abrupt U.S. aid suspensions are placing millions of the continent’s most vulnerable populations on the precipice of famine. As the Trump administration enforces a “zero-tolerance” stance on alleged waste, theft, and diversion of humanitarian assistance, the immediate fallout in Somalia and South Sudan underscores a broader challenge for Africa’s economic resilience and food security architecture.

The Trigger: Allegations and Immediate U.S. aid Suspension in Somalia

The crisis erupted in early January 2026 when the U.S. State Department accused Somali officials of demolishing a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu Port and seizing approximately 76 metric tonnes of specialised nutritional aid destined for malnourished women and children.

Without prior coordination, authorities reportedly acted on directives from high levels, prompting Washington to pause all assistance benefiting Somalia’s federal government. “The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the department declared, conditioning resumption on full accountability.

Somalia’s foreign ministry swiftly rebutted the claims, insisting the commodities remained under WFP custody and that port expansions had not disrupted humanitarian flows. The WFP confirmed retrieval of the supplies but highlighted the warehouse’s destruction.

Parallel measures hit South Sudan, where U.S. assistance was suspended in Ayod County (Jonglei State) and placed under review in Western Bahr el-Ghazal following reports of officials exploiting, detaining aid workers, and imposing illicit demands on U.S.-funded programs.

Human and Economic Toll in Somalia, South Sudan

These suspensions arrive at a perilous moment. Somalia, chronically beset by drought, insecurity, and Al-Shabaab threats, faces acute food insecurity affecting over 4 million people, with projections of worsening malnutrition through mid-2026.

In South Sudan, conflict-disrupted access already sustains Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes in multiple counties, with a persistent risk of Famine in areas like Nasir. Acute malnutrition rates are surging, particularly among children.

The U.S. has historically been a cornerstone donor, contributing hundreds of millions annually to these nations—often channelled through UN agencies rather than governments. Yet broader 2025 aid restructuring, including USAID’s dissolution, has amplified vulnerabilities.

For pan-African investors and policymakers, this disruption signals risks beyond humanitarian borders: stalled agricultural recovery, weakened supply chains, and potential migration pressures that could ripple into regional trade blocs like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Governance, Accountability, and the Path Forward

At its core, the U.S. actions spotlight enduring governance challenges in fragile states: opacity in aid management and elite capture that erode donor confidence. While accountability is non-negotiable, abrupt suspensions risk punishing the poorest—millions reliant on external lifelines amid domestic constraints.

African leaders must accelerate reforms: robust tracking systems, anti-corruption frameworks, and diversified funding sources, including intra-African philanthropy and impact investments.

The African Development Bank and regional bodies could bridge gaps through emergency facilities, while private sector players in agribusiness explore resilient models—such as climate-smart farming and local processing—to reduce import dependency.

Opportunities Amid Crisis

This moment presents a clarion call for Africa’s self-reliance agenda. With abundant arable land and a youthful demographic, nations like Somalia and South Sudan could pivot towards sustainable food systems, attracting FDI in value chains resilient to external shocks.

As famine risks loom into 2026, the international community—led by African voices—must advocate for calibrated aid restoration, coupled with verifiable reforms. The millions at stake deserve no less than a concerted, continent-driven response to turn vulnerability into enduring strength.

Read also: UN seeks unhindered humanitarian access routes in Sudan’s ‘Crime scene’ El Fasher