Somalia is on the brink of a food catastrophe – but Trump is just dropping bombs instead

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that an additional one million people in Somalia may soon face crisis levels of hunger. This warning comes as the country prepares for a forecast drought during the upcoming crop cycle.

Jean-Martin Bauer, the director of the WFP’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service, highlighted the severity of the situation during a press conference. Yet instead of support, the US has continued its bombing campaign in Somalia.

Somalia: a deepening crisis

Currently, around 3.4 million people in Somalia are experiencing acute food insecurity, and this number is expected to rise to approximately 4.4 million in the coming months. According to the WFP’s classification, phase three signifies crisis levels of hunger, while phase four is regarded as an emergency, and phase five is classified as famine or catastrophe.

Bauer stated that below-average rainfall is expected between April and June 2025, which could lead to further drought conditions after two consecutive failed rainy seasons. This is particularly alarming given that the Horn of Africa has suffered its driest conditions in over 40 years, resulting in substantial loss of life, with estimates suggesting that 43,000 people died in 2022 due to starvation.

Children are among the most affected by hunger, and the WFP predicts that around 1.7 million children under the age of five will face acute malnutrition by December 2025. Among them, 466,000 are expected to experience severe acute malnutrition.

In light of these issues, the WFP has been forced to reduce its assistance programs, now reaching approximately 820,000 individuals compared to 2.2 million during peak support periods in 2022. Funding cuts, particularly from the United States, have not yet been included in these calculations, raising concerns that the situation may deteriorate further.

Bauer pointed out multiple factors contributing to this crisis, including unfavourable weather forecasts, potential funding reductions, high food prices, and ongoing conflict within the country.

The US: still waging an undeclared war

Meanwhile, On February 1, 2025, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Somali federal government, conducted airstrikes in the Golis Mountains, a region identified as a stronghold for ISIS-Somalia (IS-S).

These operations marked the first under Donald Trump’s new administration. Subsequent strikes occurred in the same area two weeks later.

Critics argue that these actions perpetuate an undeclared war in Somalia, continuing a pattern of US military interventions without formal declarations of war since at least 2002. The lack of congressional oversight and public debate raises concerns about the legality and ethical implications of such operations.

Moreover, the effectiveness of airstrikes in combating terrorism is debated, as they may lead to civilian casualties, fostering anti-American sentiment and potentially aiding militant recruitment efforts.

The focus on military solutions overlooks the underlying political and socio-economic issues contributing to instability in Somalia, suggesting a need for comprehensive strategies addressing these root causes.

The recent U.S. airstrikes in Somalia under Trump exemplify the continuation of an undeclared war, raising critical questions about their legality, effectiveness, and the broader approach to addressing terrorism and instability in the region.

The need for immediate and sustained support for the people of Somalia is now urgent – but US bombs are not the answer.

Featured image via the Canary