WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it has halted all U.S. assistance to Somalia's government over allegations that Somali officials have destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized food aid for vulnerable Somalis.
"The State Department has paused all ongoing U.S. assistance programs which benefit the Somali Federal Government," the department said in a statement on X.
The U.S. State Department said it is deeply concerned by reports that officials with the Somali government have destroyed a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid for vulnerable Somalis.
"Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government, taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps," it said. ■