Keypoints:
- Somalis condemn Trump’s language
- PM urges public to ignore tension
- Some say remarks expose governance failures
SOMALIANS across the country reacted with anger on Wednesday after President Donald Trump used deeply disparaging language to describe Somalia and its people, sparking a wave of condemnation and debate in Mogadishu and beyond. The comments, reported by Reuters, were made during a cabinet meeting in Washington on Tuesday, where Trump used crude terms and blamed Somalis for violence both inside the United States and in their home country.
During the meeting, Trump reportedly referred to Somalis as ‘garbage’ and declared: ‘We don’t want them in our country.’ He also claimed that Somalis ‘just run around killing each other’ and said ‘their country stinks’. The remarks followed last week’s shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, after which Trump vowed to freeze migration from what he called ‘third-world countries’.
An Afghan national has been charged with murder in the case and pleaded not guilty. Nonetheless, Trump has used the incident to intensify his long-running criticism of migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
Shock and anger on the streets of Mogadishu
In central Somalia, community elder Abdisalan Omar said he was stunned by the level of hostility in Trump’s words.
‘The world should respond,’ he told Reuters. ‘Presidents who speak in such a way cannot serve the US and the world.’
In Mogadishu’s Hodan district, where daily life is marked by both resilience and insecurity, many residents said the comments were insulting and reckless. Bule Ismail, a 45-year-old construction worker interviewed by Reuters near the busy KM5 junction, said Trump’s remarks violated basic norms of respect.
‘In our culture, we do not use abusive language,’ he said. ‘It is incumbent upon the US and its people to be angry with Trump first, then take Trump to a mental hospital for checkup.’
For many, the remarks felt like an attack on a nation already struggling to restore stability and global credibility. They also stoked fears that Somali migrants abroad might face hostility fuelled by Trump’s rhetoric.
PM Hamza Abdi Barre urges restraint
Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, took a more measured tone while addressing an innovation summit in Mogadishu. He cautioned against giving Trump’s comments undue weight and noted that Somalia was not the only target of his outbursts.
‘Trump has insulted many countries including Nigeria and South Africa,’ he said. ‘There are things that do not need comment; we just leave and skip. It is better to ignore than to make his words look like an issue.’
His remarks were interpreted as an attempt to de-escalate a public confrontation and to focus national attention on domestic priorities rather than Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric.
Fresh political attacks on the Somali diaspora
Trump’s latest comments fit into a broader pattern of targeting Somali communities in the United States, particularly in Minnesota, which hosts one of the largest Somali diaspora populations. Last month, he announced plans to terminate temporary deportation protections for Somali nationals, claiming—without evidence—that ‘Somali gangs’ were terrorising the state.
Local law enforcement in Minnesota dismissed these claims, stating that his characterisations of criminal activity among Somalis were inaccurate and unhelpful.
Trump’s repeated focus on the Somali community has worried rights groups, who warn that his rhetoric may lead to increased harassment or discrimination against African migrants.
A divided response at home
Although the majority of Somalis condemned the comments, some said Trump had highlighted failings that the country needs to confront.
Samira Abdullahi, a Mogadishu resident whose land was seized in a corruption dispute, said Trump’s offensive tone overshadowed what she viewed as legitimate criticism.
‘Trump said the truth but in unpleasant words,’ she told Reuters. ‘We have no government. Al Shabaab is looting and bombing all Somalis.’
Her remarks reflect a complex national mood. Somalia continues to face large-scale insecurity driven by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked militant group that has waged a near two-decade insurgency aimed at overthrowing the central government. Political infighting, corruption and economic pressures also continue to undermine public confidence in state institutions.
National identity clashes with global perception
For many Somalis, Trump’s comments highlighted the gap between how the country sees itself and how it is often described abroad. Citizens interviewed on Wednesday said they felt unfairly judged by the actions of armed groups and political factions that do not represent the broader population.
Civil society leaders warned that such remarks from the US president risk reinforcing global narratives that paint Somalia as chaotic and dysfunctional, undermining diplomatic efforts and investment appeals.
At the same time, some analysts argue that the controversy could strengthen calls for political reform, particularly among young Somalis who want a stronger and more accountable government.
A moment that resonates far beyond politics
Trump’s comments—and the strong public reaction—have underscored how deeply Somalis care about their country’s international reputation. The backlash has also highlighted longstanding frustrations with the nation’s political class, security challenges, and the burden of global stigma.
As Somalia continues its fight against insecurity and works to rebuild, the episode serves as both a reminder of the external pressures it faces and a call for unity and resilience at home.
