Somali President Suggests Trump Still Views Somalia Through an Outdated Lens

Mogadishu (GO) — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has indirectly pushed back against recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Somalia “has no functioning government.”

Speaking at the Leadership and Innovation Forum, Mohamud said many foreign actors still view Somalia through the lens of its troubled past rather than recognizing the progress made in recent years.

“Many people still look down on us, judging Somalia only by what happened before and not seeing what is happening today, the progress being made, and the efforts of the Somali people,” Mohamud said. “I say: move on from yesterday. The Somali nation has risen; it has moved forward.”

Trump has intensified his rhetoric against Somali immigrants in the United States in recent months, particularly those living in Minnesota. He has publicly called for immigration authorities to take tougher actions against undocumented Somalis, fueling a political standoff with Rep. Ilhan Omar. The exchange has heightened tensions between the Somali-American community and the White House.

The U.S. government, which plays a significant role in Somalia’s security sector, has not officially commented on the remarks made by either leader. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu remains one of Washington’s key diplomatic missions in Africa. Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also refrained from issuing any statement in response.

President Mohamud’s administration has struggled to dislodge Al-Shabaab from areas surrounding the capital, with security in Mogadishu still heavily dependent on foreign forces led by the United States. Diplomatic sources indicate Washington is increasingly uneasy with Mohamud’s handling of relations with federal member states and opposition politicians, particularly regarding his unilateral electoral approach and constitutional changes.

Mohamud’s comments come as Somalia marks more than 30 years since the collapse of its central government, and the country has yet to agree on a unified national electoral framework. With 147 days remaining in his term, the president has not presented a consensus-based election model, raising concerns about political stability in the months ahead.

GAROWE ONLINE