The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Somaliland is calling on congressional colleagues of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to "take note" of her conduct during a public event over the weekend.
In a tweet Ambassador Rhoda Elmi slammed Omar's promotion of violence in Somalia, adding her comments were "baffling" given the United States has partnered with Somaliland to fight terrorism in the region.
"We were profoundly surprised, even shocked on discovering the remarks made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D) of Minnesota in a recent public forum, widely circulated on most social media platforms and attached below for your reference. The language she employed was regrettably unbecoming of both the office she holds and the constituents she represents," Elmi wrote. "We hope the house leadership and her caucus will take note of her public conduct, unbecoming a United States Congresswoman nor representative of the august house she serves in."
"Her expressions were lacking in common decency and revealed a significant lack of understanding of basic facts. 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," Elmi continued. "Moreover, her 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 were profoundly surprised, even shocked on discovering the remarks made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D) of Minnesota in a recent public forum, widely circulated on most social media platforms and attached below for your reference.
— Ambassador Rhoda J Elmi (@AmbRhodaJElmi) January 28, 2024
The language she employed was regrettably… pic.twitter.com/7Ag9ZafTKY
The remarks got worse from there.
Ilhan Omar, an American congresswoman, tells Somalians that she is Somalian first, Muslim second, and… [no, American wasn’t even mentioned].
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) January 28, 2024
Oh, and she says that her primary job in Congress is to protect Somali interests. pic.twitter.com/ex5IlkAkR2
Omar argues the interpretation of her remarks is "off."
It’s not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn’t expect more from these propagandists. I pray for them and for their sanity. No nation state can survive if its states start to get involved in land lease negotiations with other countries without the consent of the federal… https://t.co/bmdEAN6aUH
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2024
In 1997, Omar came to the United States with her family as refugees from Somalia. They relocated to Minnesota where Omar represents the state's 5th Congressional District.