WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Risch warned this week that continued instability in Somalia poses a direct threat to U.S. national security, pressing for tighter oversight to ensure American counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance advances U.S. interests and is shielded from corruption.
“The United States faces real security threats from the instability in Somalia,” said Risch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “It is essential that our counterterrorism and humanitarian efforts primarily serve U.S. interests, particularly by preventing waste, fraud, and abuse by bad actors.”
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Aid oversight under fresh scrutiny
Risch’s remarks arrive as Washington reassesses the scale and management of foreign assistance programs in the Horn of Africa. In early 2026, the U.S. government froze several initiatives after allegations of widespread corruption involving Somali institutions, triggering a broader review of how aid is safeguarded and delivered.
The State Department has since suspended portions of its financial assistance to Somalia’s federal government amid reports of misappropriation, including a high-profile case tied to a World Food Programme warehouse. Some humanitarian aid flows have been restored after the Somali government returned seized supplies, but officials say the bilateral aid relationship remains under close review and subject to additional conditions.
Security risks and accountability gaps
U.S. officials warn that extremist groups, including al-Shabab, can exploit gaps created by mismanaged security and stabilization funding. Those concerns have sharpened debates over how best to balance counterterrorism support with rigorous accountability in one of the world’s most fragile security environments.
Risch has singled out U.S. contributions to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, introducing legislation that would restrict funding unless stricter transparency and accountability requirements are met. The move reflects growing pressure on the executive branch to demonstrate measurable results from security assistance while curbing opportunities for theft or misuse.
‘America First’ metrics for aid
The Trump administration has signaled a harder line on foreign assistance, requiring programs to demonstrate a clear and direct benefit to the United States. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized lax oversight and has emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to the theft or diversion of life-saving aid. According to U.S. officials, that posture extends to humanitarian channels as well as security and development funds.
Lawmakers in both parties have urged a more cautious approach to partnerships in Somalia—prioritizing support for durable institutions over individual political leaders—to reduce corruption risk and strengthen governance. Somali authorities, for their part, have pledged to reinforce oversight and compliance mechanisms in response to donor concerns.
Next steps under review
As the administration continues its review—covering roughly $1.2 billion typically obligated to the region each year—officials say any resumption or expansion of programs will be conditioned on stronger safeguards, transparent monitoring, and evidence that assistance advances U.S. national security priorities. That includes ensuring aid cannot be leveraged by armed groups, political patrons, or corrupt networks.
Risch’s warning underscores the stakes for both Somalia and the United States: instability in the Horn of Africa can reverberate across maritime routes, regional alliances, and counterterrorism campaigns. Whether Washington’s renewed emphasis on accountability translates into sustained, effective support—and demonstrable gains against al-Shabab—will hinge on how aggressively oversight is enforced in the months ahead.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
