Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly condemned remarks attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, in which Somalis were described using derogatory language. The Somali leader said the comments are unacceptable and constitute an affront to the dignity and honor of an entire nation.
In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English, President Hassan Sheikh said Somalis are “intelligent and capable people,” rejecting the remarks as offensive and misleading. He warned that such language could reinforce negative stereotypes, particularly affecting Somali communities living abroad, and could undermine the historic relationship between Somalia and the United States.
The president emphasized that Somalia values its partnership with Washington, especially in the areas of security cooperation and counterterrorism, but stressed that mutual respect must be the foundation of any bilateral relationship. He noted that millions of Somalis contribute positively to the societies in which they live, including in the United States.
Addressing immigration, President Hassan Sheikh said Somalis legally residing in the United States have the right to remain, adding that matters concerning undocumented migrants fall under the jurisdiction of U.S. authorities and domestic law. Somalia, he said, respects the sovereignty of other countries in implementing their immigration policies.
Somali diaspora communities in the United States are among the largest outside the Horn of Africa, with significant populations in Minnesota, Ohio, and Washington State.
The president’s remarks come amid heightened political debate in the United States over immigration, national security, and foreign policy rhetoric, as discussions surrounding migrants and international relations continue to intensify.
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