Thursday September 19, 2024
Composite photos of former Somali Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad (left) and Director of Transport and Aviation Bashir Macalin Ali (right). Garaad recently called for government action against Ali following his controversial remarks about the people of Bakool.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Former Somali Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad has called on the Somali government to take action against the Director of Transport and Aviation, who recently made disparaging comments about the people of South West State in the media.advertisements
Bashir Moalim Ali, the official in question, cast doubt on the identity of those who recently held demonstrations in the Bakool region in support of Ethiopian troops. He implied that they were not ethnic Somalis but rather the offspring of Ethiopians from the era of former President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed."The remarks I heard, labelling Somali citizens as children of Ethiopians pretending to be Somali, are deeply offensive and should not be ignored," said Garaad. "These words sow division among Somalis and could undermine the collective defence of the nation when it is most needed."
Yusuf Garaad stressed that it is imperative for the government to take appropriate action against the official. He added that if the individual does not retract his statement and offer a sincere apology, he should face consequences for his divisive rhetoric.