Trump's Words Spark Strong Reactions in Somalia

In Somalia, people are upset about recent comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump. He called Somalis "garbage" and said they should not be in the U.S. Many Somalis find his words offensive and disrespectful.

Shock and Disappointment

An elder from central Somalia, Abdisalan Omar, was shocked by Trump's language. He believes world leaders should speak with respect.

"Presidents who talk like this do not help the *U.S.* or the world."

Increased Criticism After Washington Shooting

Trump has been criticizing people from Somalia more since a recent shooting in Washington. He promised to stop migration from certain countries. However, the person charged with the shooting is from Afghanistan, not Somalia.

Calls for Accountability

Bule Ismail, a construction worker in Mogadishu, said Somalis do not use abusive language. He thinks the U.S. people should be angry with Trump and maybe even check his mental health.

Prime Minister's Response

Somalia's Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, took a different approach. He said Trump has insulted many countries, including Nigeria and South Africa.

"It is better to ignore him."

Mixed Reactions Among Somalis

Some Somalis agree with Trump's message but not his words. Samira Abdullahi, a resident of Mogadishu, said,

"Trump told the truth but in a bad way."

She believes Somalia's government is weak and al Shabaab, a militant group, is causing problems.

Somalia's Ongoing Challenges

Somalia is facing many challenges, including violence and poverty. Al Shabaab has been fighting the government for nearly 20 years. Trump recently ended temporary protection for Somalis living in Minnesota, claiming Somali gangs are causing trouble. Local officials say this is not true.