MOGADISHU – Somalia’s defense minister stated that Somalis will not tolerate being disrespected following U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated offensive comments about people from the East African nation.
During a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday intended to highlight his economic achievements, Trump criticized migration from “Third World” countries.
“We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime,” he remarked.
“The only thing they’re good at is going after ships,” President Trump continued, alluding to piracy off the Somali coast.
Last week, Trump had characterized Somalis as “garbage” during a cabinet meeting, claiming “they just run around killing each other.”
In a text message to Reuters, Somali defense minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi advised Trump to concentrate on delivering his promises to American voters “instead of concerning himself with Somalia.”
While acknowledging appreciation for U.S. military assistance in combating al Qaeda-linked militants within the country, he rejected Trump’s negative portrayal of Somalis.
“The Somali people are recognized globally for their industriousness. They are admired for their perseverance in challenging circumstances. They have endured numerous difficulties and adversaries, including those who deny their existence, harm them, and subject them to humiliation and insults,” he added.
“They have conquered all these challenges and have endured,” the message concluded.
Trump intensified his criticism of Somalis after the shooting incident last month involving two National Guard troops in Washington, which prompted him to vow to halt migration from less affluent nations.
An Afghan national has been formally accused of murder in connection with the Washington shootings and has entered a plea of not guilty.
Trump, who has a history of using racially and sexually charged language, has consistently demanded the deportation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democratic lawmaker and prominent critic of his who immigrated from Somalia to become a U.S. citizen 30 years ago.
