SKYNEWS – In a stark assessment of the crisis in Somalia, former U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Larry E. André Jr. has warned that the country is facing a catastrophic combination of famine, political instability, and government violence against its own people.
Speaking to Sky News, André said the situation in Somalia is “very serious,” pointing to the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud government’s decision to remain in office beyond its term and its use of troops as a “political militia” against the people of the Southwest State—the region of the country facing the greatest threat from famine.
According to the former ambassador, the government’s actions are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, generating more refugees from areas that are already in crisis.
Aid Funding Collapses
André highlighted a dramatic decline in international assistance to Somalia, which has fallen from about $2 billion in 2022–23—with the United States contributing around 80% of that total—to just $160 million at present. He also alleged that, under the direction of the Somali government, a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Mogadishu containing food funded by the United States was destroyed in January.
“The main responsibility rests with the Somali authorities, who are increasing their violence against their own citizens rather than dealing with the humanitarian crisis,” André said.
Contrast with Other Somali Regions
The former ambassador noted that ethnic Somali regions in both Ethiopia and Somaliland are faring better as a result of more responsible governance. He called for greater international attention and pressure to address the famine threat and to stop what he described as a war against the people of Somalia.
International Response Needed
André’s remarks underscore growing concerns that Somalia’s political leadership is prioritizing its own hold on power over the survival of its citizens. With humanitarian funding rapidly depleting and violence escalating, observers warn that without urgent international intervention, the crisis could spiral further out of control.
The international community now faces mounting pressure to act—not only to avert a full-scale famine but also to hold Somali authorities accountable for their role in worsening the suffering of their own people.