$2 Billion in Annual Aid Kept Somalia a Failed State

The USA and other countries have sent billions of dollars in aid to Somalia, with no major positive results.

Self-reliance used to be a key virtue in the American national character. We believed that our citizens should build up success for themselves, and that foreign nations should not rely on us or other powerful nations too heavily for their fortune. Unfortunately, within the last century, Americans have grown increasingly dependent on government and tolerant of unconstitutional government programs, so it is no surprise that we have also been a key part of funding a massive global aid network that props up failed states. The nation of Somalia is a perfect illustration of that.

The Republic of Somaliland, which has long worked to gain international recognition of its independence from Somalia, reacted to news of U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) introducing the Stop All Funding to Somalia Act, or H.R. 8334, in Congress. Somaliland enthusiastically applauded the piece of legislation and pointed out that all of our American taxpayer aid to Somalia has been money down the drain.

In fact, Somaliland argued, “Since 1990, Somalia has received tens of billions of dollars in global aid, including over $14 billion in the early years and approximately $2 billion per year in recent years. Despite this substantial aid, Somalia remains a failed state.”

The X post continued, “In contrast, the Republic of Somaliland has received zero direct aid. Instead, it has built peace, stability, and democracy on its own through the determination tax collection and contributions of its diaspora. The results of Somaliland’s self-reliance should be studied!”

In 2024, according to USA Facts, the U.S. alone sent $765 million in aid to Somalia. Why? What could possibly be the constitutional or practical justification of that huge expenditure of money? Even more shocking, the website stated that there are at least 29 low-income countries that receive annual economic aid from the United States, making up 21% of U.S. foreign aid in 2024. Apparently, we are the world‘s nursemaid.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Somaliland has done without American aid for decades while simultaneously making economic progress. In fact, the country is offering the United States access to critical minerals and land for a military base in exchange for recognition. This would be a deal beneficial to both sides, unlike the system the U.S. has been engaged in with Somalia, where we provide massive handouts without any benefit to ourselves.

And on top of all the foreign aid we send directly to Somalia, there was also the vast Somali fraud network in the United States, which, among other things, funneled money back home, including to terrorists. Some Somalians had temporary protected status in the United States for more than three decades. The amount of money that we have lost over the years, just to Somalia, both in welfare and fraud within the United States, and abroad through economic aid, is mind-boggling. The USA has now halted aid to Somalia‘s government, and we need to make this permanent.

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