Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has defended US lawmaker Ilhan Omar's heritage, as well as Somalia's sovereignty and progress, following sharp criticism by US President Donald Trump.
President Trump made disparaging comments on Somalia, Ilhan Omar’s country of origin, amid US local political tensions over the killing of Charlie Kirk and a massive Medicaid-related fraud case in Minnesota, the constituency she represents.
Ilhan Omar had criticised the views of right-wing political activist, Charlie Kirk, on gun ownership and racism in the US while Trump hailed him after his killing last week. Trump also attempted to link Omar to the unfolding corruption probe in Minnesota.
“Ilhan Omar’s country of Somalia is plagued by a lack of central government control, persistent poverty, hunger, resurgent terrorism, piracy, decades of civil war, corruption, and pervasive violence. 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty, and widespread food insecurity,” Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social network.
‘Ilhan brought honour’
Somalia has now hit back with Defence Minister Fiqi saying it is unacceptable to target Omar based on her Somali heritage, describing Trump’s comments as "blatant attempt to scapegoat" Omar by invoking her country of birth. He asserted that such rhetoric risks deepening divisions and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
“Rep. Ilhan Omar is an American elected official whose contributions and service should be assessed within the context of her work and principles—not her country of origin,” minister Fiqi said in a statement on Facebook on Sunday.
''As for the politics of the country (the United States), she represents as a member of Congress, that is not our concern. But if our sister is being targeted because of her ethnicity, then we stand firmly by her side. She has brought great honor to her name and to the place she originally hails from,'' Fiqi added.
Ilhan Omar was born in 1982 in Mogadishu, Somalia, before moving to the US to become a citizen and join politics. She has always said she is proud of her Somali heritage.
‘Somalia moving forward’
Minister Fiqi has hailed her rise to prominence and paid tributes to Somalis in the diaspora for their contributions.
''Somalis are a proud people, with a longstanding history; wherever they live, they leave their mark and are recognised around the world. And yes, there may be some who find that uncomfortable,'' he said.
''MP Ilhan is a role model, a young woman who has succeeded through her own abilities. Her thoughts and beliefs may not please everyone, just as others may hold different or even extreme views. But for that, she cannot and should not be blamed for the country she was born in,'' Fiqi added.
''Somalia is a sovereign state, a country moving forward, as all nations aim to thrive. It has a seat at the United Nations Security Council and is working to overcome the many challenges it faces,'' the Somali minister stressed.
Fiqi’s defence of Omar and her Somali heritage has resonated widely among Somalis and members of the Somali diaspora, many of whom view her as a symbol of resilience and representation.
