Somalia admits diversion of US-trained forces' rations; president's family implicated

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Somalia admits diversion of US-trained forces' rations; president's family implicated

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - The Somali government has late on Thursday confirmed the diversion of rations meant for the US-trained Danab forces, revealing a concerning breach within its own ranks.

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Somali government admits diversion of US-trained forces' rations; president's family implicated.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - The Somali government has late on Thursday confirmed the diversion of rations meant for the US-trained Danab forces, revealing a concerning breach within its own ranks.

The Ministry of Defense issued a statement indicating that an investigation had been conducted, leading to the suspension and detention of officers within the Danab forces.

The statement, released without identifying the detained officers, also announced the Somali government's decision to take over responsibility for the Danab rations from the US.

This revelation follows the suspension of all food ration assistance to the Somali army Danab by the US government, citing widespread diversion of food rations.

Reports suggest a troubling link between the diversion and private interests within the Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's family.

Sources allege that companies owned by members of the president's family were awarded contracts to supply food and fuel to the Danab, yet a significant portion of the rations ended up in the open market.

Notably, one of the president's wives, a cousin, and a nephew are purported owners of the implicated company, further complicating the situation.

The admission by the Somali ministry of defence comes on the heels of previous concerns raised by the US government regarding the diversion of equipment intended for the army, which was also reportedly sold in the open market.

"FGS [Federal Government of Somalia] takes these incidents seriously and have immediately launched an investigation which resulted in the suspension and detention of officers within the ranks to ensure accountability and transparency," the statement by the ministry said.

This admission adds to a series of recent security challenges faced by the Somali government, including the dismissal of the director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mahad Mohamed Salad.

Mr. Salad was relieved of his duties amid allegations of human rights violations and massive corruption within NISA. Prior to his dismissal, a significant cache of heavy weapons, armored vehicles, and cash went missing from NISA headquarters in Mogadishu.

Security sources now allege that these stolen weapons and vehicles were transported to Guricel town in central Somalia, where Salad reportedly established a private clan militia.

Despite these developments, both Somali security officials and the presidency have refrained from commenting on the matter, raising further questions about the extent of governmental accountability and transparency.