NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The United States on Wednesday said it would lift a suspension of aid to Somalia after claiming authorities in the East African nation had taken responsibility for actions earlier this month that disrupted aid operations.
Despite the U.S. statement that Somalia had acknowledged accountability for the disruption of World Food Program aid at the Port of Mogadishu that led to the suspension, the Somali government did not confirm the claim on Wednesday or immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
While the suspension has been lifted, it was not immediately clear when aid deliveries would resume. The WFP did not immediately respond to enquiries.
The U.S. State Department said on Jan. 7 that it suspended all assistance to Somalia’s federal government over allegations that Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded warehouse belonging to the WFP, which is part of the United Nations, and seized 75 metric tons (82 tons) of food aid intended for impoverished civilians.
The WFP said in an earlier statement that its warehouse was demolished by Somali authorities. The warehouse contained specialized food intended for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women who were malnourished. The organization later said it had retrieved the food without providing additional details.
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry denied the U.S. allegation, saying the expansion and construction work at the port had not affected custody or distribution of humanitarian assistance.
The State Department’s Office of the Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance posted a statement Wednesday on social media platform X saying the U.S. will “resume WFP food distribution while continuing to review our broader assistance posture in Somalia.”
The Trump administration has zero tolerance for “waste, theft, or diversion of U.S. resources,” the statement added.
The U.S. suspension came as the Trump administration has ratcheted up criticism of Somali refugees and migrants in the U.S., including fraud allegations involving child care centers in Minnesota. It has slapped significant restrictions on Somalis coming or attempting to stay in the U.S.
Located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia is one of the world’s poorest nations and for decades has been beset by chronic strife and insecurity exacerbated by multiple natural disasters including severe droughts.
FILE - Workers distribute food aid from the World Food Program at a refugee camp in Dolo, Somalia on July 18. 2012. (AP Photo/Jason Straziuso, file)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Africa's soccer body issued fines worth more than $1 million and banned Senegal's coach and Senegalese and Morocco players Wednesday following a shambolic African Cup soccer final this month that involved a walk-off protest, fans trying to storm the field and fights among journalists.
The sanctions announced by the Confederation of African Football included fines totaling $615,000 for the Senegalese soccer federation and $315,000 for the Morocco federation for unsporting and improper conduct by their players, coaching staff and supporters, among other offenses.
The Jan. 18 African soccer showpiece was marred by Senegal players walking off led by coach Pape Thiaw in protest against a penalty awarded late in regulation time to host Morocco. Thiaw was banned for five African games and given an individual fine of $100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute, the African confederation said.
The game restarted after a delay of around 15 minutes, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal won the African title 1-0 after extra time.
The heated final in Rabat also saw supporters trying to storm the field, Morocco and Senegal players scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the two countries fighting in press areas, and a bizarre sequence where Moroccan ball boys attempted to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy — in an apparent bid to distract him and help their team win the continental title.
That behavior by the home team's ball boys led to a $200,000 fine for Morocco's federation, which will be a co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal and has come under scrutiny for the shambolic African final.
Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were banned for two African games, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi was also banned for two games, with one suspended, and Morocco's Ismael Saibari was banned for three games and fined $100,000 for unsporting behavior.
The African soccer body dismissed an appeal by Morocco to have the result canceled and Morocco declared the winner because of the Senegalese walk-off.
This story has been corrected to show that the African Cup final was on Jan. 18 and not Jan. 23.
Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Players from both sides clash after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal supporters are taken from the stadium by security officers after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
