Somalia stands at a critical turning point in its modern history. The country returned to global attention after United States President Donald Trump, during a Cabinet meeting, launched a derogatory attack on Somalia and United States Representative Ilhan Omar. His remarks, telling Somalis to “go back” and labelling them “garbage”, provoked widespread debate. This controversy exposed a deeper truth: the world’s perception of Somalia has been shaped not by its people, but by the failures of its political leadership.
The reaction within the United States was swift and bipartisan. Senior figures from both parties condemned the language, whilst former President Bill Clinton publicly defended the Somali people, emphasising their dignity and contributions. This defence underscores a fundamental principle: Somalia’s global reputation has been damaged by its politicians, not its citizens and diaspora communities.
The story of Somalis is one of remarkable global achievement. Where institutions are strong and the rule of law prevails, Somalis excel. Across North America, Europe, and Africa, they have become legislators, entrepreneurs, judges, engineers, doctors, scholars, diplomats, and business leaders. Within a generation, refugees have risen to positions as government ministers in Canada, members of the United States Congress, and elected representatives in Scandinavian parliaments.
The Somali diaspora includes Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, who served as President of the International Court of Justice, becoming the first Somali and only the third African to hold this position. Somali legal experts play a central role in Kenya’s judiciary, excelling in complex commercial, constitutional, and international law. These achievements show that Somalis thrive where merit is rewarded, institutions function effectively, and integrity is recognised.
Somali entrepreneurship drives growth across East and Southern Africa, powering sectors from retail and real estate to aviation and logistics. In Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, Somali professionals are renowned for reliability and business acumen. Landmarks such as Nairobi’s BBS Mall testify to their vision and investment capacity. In industries built on trust, from property to mining, Somali professionals are celebrated for honesty and transparency. This consistency reveals a key lesson: Somalis prosper wherever rules are clear and institutions are strong.
This resilience is deeply rooted in Somali history. In the early twentieth century, Sayyid Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan led a two-decade resistance against British, Italian, and Ethiopian forces, founding the Dervish movement, one of Africa’s most enduring anti-colonial struggles. His campaign was so formidable that the British deployed the Royal Air Force alongside ground troops to suppress it. Despite the Empire’s vast resources, the region was never captured while Sayyid Hassan lived. His legacy as a strategist, scholar, and poet symbolises a national character of courage, intellect, and strategic insight, a spirit evident in Somalis worldwide today.
Yet Somalia remains paralysed, not by a lack of potential, but by chronic governance failure. The nation possesses Africa’s longest coastline, vast arable land, permanent rivers, and one of the continent’s largest livestock economies. Its seas are rich in fish, and its land holds significant reserves of oil, gas, and minerals. Yet these resources remain largely underdeveloped or plundered through illegal fishing and foreign interference, a direct result of weak institutions and corrupt leadership.
The responsibility for this disparity lies squarely with Somalia’s political elite. Under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, corruption has deepened, security has deteriorated, and counter-terrorism efforts have been obstructed. In contrast, the Federal Member State of Puntland administration has demonstrated that progress in securing Somalia from terrorists is possible. With limited resources but with unity and commitment to transparency and accountability, Puntland has uprooted Daesh from the Golis Mountains and maintained relative stability, offering a model for national security reform.
The forthcoming national elections present a pivotal opportunity. Somalia requires leaders who match the strength of its people, who will build institutions, secure resources, and restore public trust. The future depends on integrity and unity, not rhetoric. Leadership inspired by the courage of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, the global stature of jurists such as Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf, and the entrepreneurial expertise of Somali business communities could transform Somalia into a stable, prosperous, and unified nation.
The irony of the American debate surrounding Somali communities is striking. President Trump’s family migrated from Germany, yet well-established Somali communities in Minneapolis had already put down roots long before his own family arrived. The persistent, overwhelmingly negative attention given to Somalis in the United States is not accidental. When a fully integrated community is repeatedly targeted and misrepresented, it reveals deeper societal anxieties than media narratives alone can explain.
Power can often be measured by the attention it attracts. Communities with little influence are largely ignored, whereas groups with visibility and resilience become subjects of constant scrutiny. The sustained focus on Somalis indicates influence—not of wealth or dominance, but of identity, perseverance, and an unshakeable presence. Somali voices in Congress have disrupted entrenched comfort zones, not merely through policy disagreement, but through the assertion of their rightful representation.
Somali Americans are fully integrated citizens whose historical journey aligns with the broader American narrative of migration, survival, and the pursuit of dignity. The persistent focus on them, often framed by mischaracterisation, is not a marker of weakness. History shows that the most targeted groups are seldom powerless; they possess a strength that unsettles established orders and demands recognition. Somali Americans exemplify a community whose very existence commands respect and acknowledgement.
Derogatory international commentary ultimately reveals more about the speaker than about Somalia. It ignores generations of Somali contribution to global society and the fundamental principle of respect for sovereign nations. The generosity, foresight, and integrity of Somali communities worldwide stand in sharp contrast to the failures of the country’s political elite.
Somalia must be judged by its people, not its politicians. The nation is endowed with extraordinary human talent and abundant natural resources. If governance rises to meet the capacity of its citizens, Somalia will realise its immense potential. The world must see Somalia not as a symbol of instability, but as a nation defined by resilience, skill, and generosity. The upcoming election is more than a political exercise; it is an opportunity to restore dignity and secure a future worthy of the Somali people.
Hussein Soyan is a consultant and writer specialising in business, governance, and political affairs. He has advised organisations in East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast. Asia.hsoyan@gmail.com
