MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Somalia, describing it as a nation without a functioning government, despite the presence of a US- and Western-backed administration in the capital, Mogadishu.
The comments came as part of a broader tirade against Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia and later became a US citizen. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Thursday, Mr Trump questioned the legitimacy of Somalia’s government and lashed out at the congresswoman’s criticisms of US policy.
“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,” Mr Trump wrote.
“Somalia is consistently ranked among the World’s Most Corrupt Countries, including Bribery, Embezzlement, and a Dysfunctional Government. All of this, and Ilhan Omar tells us how to run America! P.S. Wasn’t she the one that married her brother in order to gain Citizenship??? What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do, and how to do it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The president’s remarks drew attention to Somalia’s long-standing challenges with security, governance, and corruption. However, his assertion that the country lacks a government overlooks the existence of the Federal Government of Somalia, which has been in place since 2012 and continues to receive substantial international support.
The administration in Mogadishu, while fragile, is backed by Western nations and protected by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM). Thousands of AU peacekeepers – funded by Western donors – remain stationed in the country. The United States also maintains a military presence, with hundreds of troops deployed in training and counterterrorism roles, as well as conducting frequent drone operations targeting Al-Shabaab militants.
This is not the first time Mr Trump has publicly claimed Somalia is effectively stateless. During his presidency, he frequently made inflammatory remarks about both the country and Congresswoman Omar.
Ilhan Omar, who fled Somalia as a child during the civil war and later settled in the United States, has often been the target of Trump’s attacks.
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