Somaliland ambassador 'shocked' by Ilhan Omar's 'ethno-racist rhetoric' in recent speech

A government official from Somaliland, an unrecognized state considered by Somalia to be part of its dominion, slammed Rep. Ilham Omar after the Democrat Minnesota congresswoman declared that her first allegiance was to Somalian interests.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rhoda Elmi said she was "shocked" by Omar's "ethno-racist rhetoric" during a speech on Sunday in which, according to one translation, she said Somalia was "for Somalis only" and that they would "liberate the occupied territories ... that belong to Greater Somalia," which includes Somaliland.

 

"We were profoundly surprised, even shocked on discovering the remarks made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D) of Minnesota in a recent public forum," Elmi wrote, condemning her statements as "regrettably unbecoming of both the office she holds and the constituents she represents."

"Her expressions were lacking in common decency and revealed a significant lack of understanding of basic facts," Elmi continued. "Specifically troubling, were her endeavors to revive the once-violent and dangerous ideology of Greater Somalia or Somali Weyn, which caused so much death, destruction and conflict in the Horn of Africa."

The ambassador went on to slam Omar's use of "ethno-racist rhetoric," adding that it was "particularly bewildering for those who recall similar racist attacks she endured not long ago, of being 'not American enough'," since she took "a similar approach and accuse the entire Somaliland nation of 'falsely claiming Somali identity'."

Elmi called out Omar's "ignorance of US-Somaliland cooperation in the fight against terror and piracy in the Gulf of Aden & Gulf Of Berbera was shocking to say the least."
 

"We hope the House leadership and her caucus will take note of her public conduct," she concluded, once again labeling it "unbecoming a United States Congresswoman nor representative of the August house she serves in."

Omar has defended her statements on X, saying her statements were "slanted" by "propagandists."

According to the Associated Press, the United States does not formally recognize Somaliland, and has declared that the Biden administration supports Somalian sovereignty, including in the separatist state.

The proposed deal between Somalia and Ethiopia included the possibility of the latter constructing a military base there.