MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The United States has suspended support for Somalia’s elite Danab Brigade after uncovering rampant corruption, including stolen rations, with Somali leaders failing to act, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee revealed on Monday.
“U.S. taxpayers shouldn’t keep funding corruption. The Danab is responsible for these failures,” the chairman stated, underscoring Washington’s zero-tolerance policy toward graft. Despite the withdrawal of funding, he emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to counterterrorism efforts against groups like Al-Shabaab.
The decision comes amid broader scrutiny of U.S. assistance to Somalia, including reported reluctance to fully bankroll the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), which owes $100 million in arrears and risks collapse. The chairman clarified that Washington has not refused support outright but insists on equitable burden-sharing among international partners.
“We’re just insisting that Europe and Africa pull their weight. Funding schemes like UNSCR 2719 let others dodge the bill and dump the cost on U.S. taxpayers, while giving the UN a welcome distraction for its own failure,” he said, criticizing mechanisms that disproportionately rely on American contributions.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
