How Somalia and Al-Shabaab Are Playing the U.S. for Fools

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), (Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)

Somalia has become a black hole for American aid, and the scandal runs deep.

While hard-working American taxpayers are struggling with inflation, crime, and a broken border, guess where your money is going? Straight into the pockets of one of the most corrupt and compromised governments in the Horn of Africa—the so-called “government” of Somalia. And the worst part? They’re doing it with the full knowledge that parts of their leadership have been linked to the same terrorists they’re supposed to be fighting.

This week, Republican Senators Jim Risch, Ted Cruz, and Rick Scott dropped a political bombshell: a new bill to cut off U.S. funding for Somalia’s peacekeeping operations until the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) stop pushing America to foot the entire bill. It’s called the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025—and it’s about time.

Somalia has become a black hole for American aid, and the scandal runs deep. Despite billions poured into stabilization, Somali authorities have been repeatedly caught in bed with al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda affiliate that has terrorized the region for over a decade. Numerous reports have exposed how Somali military officials have cut deals with militants, facilitated arms smuggling, and manipulated the chaos to keep international dollars flowing.

Now, European governments are conveniently stepping back, hoping the U.S. keeps writing blank checks. “They want us to pay more while they duck out the back door,” said Senator Risch. “We can’t let that stand.”

But it’s not just about unfair burden-sharing. It’s about fundamental corruption. How can we justify sending even a single dollar to a regime that has allegedly collaborated with terrorists for political leverage? How can we pretend Somalia is a partner in peace when it’s letting the fox guard the henhouse?

Trump was right to demand accountability. Now, GOP leaders are pushing to ensure that no U.S. taxpayer money goes to Somalia’s AU-backed security forces until we see full transparency, strict oversight, and proof that our funds aren’t fueling the very groups we’re trying to eliminate.

This is bigger than Somalia. It’s about American leadership. It’s about saying no to being exploited. And it’s about exposing how global freeloaders, corrupt elites, and failed states have long manipulated our generosity.

Time to shut off the tap. Time to wake up, America.

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