Somalia’s government said it had suspended and detained several members of an elite, US-trained commando unit for stealing rations donated by the United States, adding that it was taking over responsibility for provisioning the force.
The Danab unit has been a key pillar of U.S.-backed efforts to combat the al Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab. The United States agreed in February to spend more than $100 million to build up to five military bases for Danab.
Somalia’s defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday that it had notified international partners of the theft and would share the outcome of its investigation.
A US official said in a statement to Reuters that Washington takes seriously all accusations of corruption.
Somalia commando theft strains relations between the U.S. and Somalia, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of training programs.
Somalia commando theft incident underscores the urgency of addressing security challenges and restoring public trust. Furthermore, it prompts calls for reforms within Somalia’s military to prevent future incidents of corruption and misconduct.
Additionally, the detention of U.S.-trained commandos serves as a wake-up call for enhanced oversight and transparency in security assistance programs. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of building strong institutions and promoting good governance to ensure the effective and accountable use of resources.
read more
image source
