A growing international scandal is putting Somalia in the spotlight after more than half of its official delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva vanished, raising serious concerns about visa fraud, human trafficking, and government corruption.
Out of 23 names submitted to the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi as official participants in the ILC, only 10 reportedly attended the opening sessions. The remaining 13 are believed to have used the conference as a gateway into Europe, with some possibly now seeking asylum.
Falsified Titles and Questionable Delegates
The official list included names such as Mohamed Amin Shafie, Ahmed Hassan Ismail, and Farah Mohamed Yusuf, labelled as advisers and substitute delegates from Somalia’s Ministry of Labour. But investigations reveal that several individuals had no actual connection to the ministry or any government work.
- Farah Mohamed Yusuf, for example, is a journalist based in Nairobi with the BBC, not a labour adviser.
- Maryan Ahmed Mohamed, also listed, does not appear on any ministry payroll.
- Abdifatah Dahir Jayte is a director in the Ministry of Information, not Labour.
Despite these inconsistencies, they were included in the visa application submitted under Somalia’s official delegation.
Kickbacks and Travel Agency Schemes
According to credible reporting from Horn Observer and WardheerNews, individuals allegedly paid between $4,500 and $10,000 to Mogadishu-based travel agencies to be included on the delegate list. These agencies reportedly coordinated with insiders at the Ministry of Labour to obtain fake documentation that appeared legitimate to embassies.
The man at the centre of the scandal? Yusuf Mohamed Aden, Somalia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, is accused of signing off on false credentials. He’s joined by Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), who is also under suspicion for facilitating fraudulent entries.
Who Is Omar Faruk Osman?
Often described as a man who wears many hats, Omar Faruk Osman is a prominent Somali journalist and trade unionist. He currently serves as the General Secretary of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) and is also the head of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). Internationally, he holds a position on the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a global union federation.
However, Omar Faruk’s legacy is increasingly being questioned. According to Munasar Maxamed, a respected exiled journalist known for exposing corruption, with over one million followers on Facebook, Omar Faruk has allegedly been involved in human trafficking schemes for more than 17 years. These accusations claim he used the NUSOJ name to send unqualified individuals abroad under the guise of attending journalism workshops, falsely labelling them as journalists to secure visas.
While Omar Faruk has long positioned himself as a defender of press freedom, critics argue that his leadership roles have provided cover for unethical practices, particularly those related to international travel and visa abuse.
These serious allegations are part of a broader conversation around corruption within Somalia’s labour and media institutions, raising urgent questions about transparency, accountability, and abuse of power.
Geneva: A Loophole for Traffickers
Geneva, a hub for United Nations activities, has become a popular route for traffickers using international events to bypass strict visa controls. By labelling migrants as “advisers” or “delegates,” these networks avoid scrutiny and gain access to Europe through official channels.
An insider at the Ministry of Labour told Horn Observer:
“Our ministry has no budget for such a large delegation, and most of these names are not familiar. This appears to be a well-organized smuggling scheme.”
Missing Names, Missing Trust
Here are some individuals listed on the delegation roster now under scrutiny:
- Suada Abdullahi Moallim – listed as an adviser, but her official role remains unclear.
- Abdinasiir Jimale Mohamed, Abukar Mohamed Osman, and Mahad Ahmed Mohamed – all marked as delegates or advisers with no verified ministry affiliations.
- Osman Haji Ibrahim Osman, Hassan Ali Gesey, and Mohamed Nor Hassan – also named, but their positions have not been confirmed by government records.
The scandal doesn’t stop at the Ministry of Labour. This case is part of a disturbing trend. In 2024, a Somali diplomat in Saudi Arabia was arrested for trafficking individuals using forged diplomatic passports. Meanwhile, Turkish and Italian embassies in Mogadishu previously suspended visa services due to similar fraud concerns involving high-level Somali officials.
No Comment from the Somali Government
To date, Somalia’s Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and its diplomatic mission in Nairobi have not responded to media inquiries. This silence has only deepened public suspicion and international concern.
Experts like Abdijabar Mohamed, a regional trafficking monitor, explain how these operations are evolving:
“The traffickers now work from inside the system. They issue government IDs, get passports processed fast, and file visa paperwork that looks official. But it’s all for a price.”
Why This Matters
This scandal threatens Somalia’s credibility in future international events and harms the image of honest public servants. It also endangers the trust placed in global forums like the ILO—platforms designed to strengthen human rights, not exploit them.
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