Public Outcry Erupts Over Government-Backed Human Trafficking and Visa Scams Under the Guise of ILO Conference Delegation

To: Switzerland Embassy – Somalia

To: EU Embassy – Somalia

To: Canada Embassy – Somalia

To: UK Embassy – Somalia

To: US Embassy – Somalia

To: All Other Embassies – Somalia

Cc: Foreign Affairs Committee – House of People

Cc: Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labor

Dear Esteemed Representatives,

I reach out as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of People of the Federal Republic of Somalia, compelled by a sense of duty and urgency. It is with profound concern and distress that I highlight an egregious situation unfolding at the highest echelons of government. This scam, masquerading under the guise of the 113th Session of the International Labor Conference in Geneva this June, is nothing short of appalling.

Picture this: a so-called “delegation” of seventeen individuals, supposedly led by the Minister of Labor and his Director General, is set to attend this international gathering. But let’s be honest—this is anything but a legitimate delegation. It is, in essence, a well-organized operation disguised in official attire, aiming to exploit the system for visa laundering, with intentions far removed from any real concern for Somalia’s labor issues.

The figures are staggering, aren’t they? With over 70% of Somalia’s national budget funded by donor governments, such contemptible acts repay goodwill with outright deceit. Visas are being metaphorically auctioned for $25,000 each, sold to imposters shielded by political connections. These individuals procure fake credentials, making a mockery of genuine diplomatic processes.

One might wonder—how did it come to this? Ties within Villa Somalia, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labor, and the Immigration Department paint a grim picture. This so-called “delegation” is largely composed of politically connected non-entities, paying their way into Europe. And as Somalia edges closer to another election cycle, those in power are ravenously seeking funds, no matter the ethical cost.

The individuals orchestrating this debacle include the Minister of Labor, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Head of Villa Somalia Protocol, and the Director General—also a close relative of the Speaker of the House of the People. This is more than a mere coincidence. It is a deliberate act of entrenchment, with positions doled out as political favors, sheltered by layers of power and influence.

Alarming, isn’t it? Each correspondence, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or any governmental office, now stands under a shadow of suspicion. The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, previously linked to the Cuba Visa Scheme—a blatant human trafficking endeavor—stains this process further. Meanwhile, the Protocol Office accelerates the processing of this shameful assembly. This transcends internal governance failure; it is organized crime at the heart of our government.

Rightfully, you may ask:

• How long will the EU, UK, Canada, and the US turn a blind eye to these injustices?
• You possess intelligence, visa records, diplomatic communications. Isn’t the situation clearly in sight?
• If commitments to human rights, anti-corruption, and international law hold weight, why the inaction?
• Where are the sanctions, the visa bans for these complicit officials?
• Where is the criminal investigation?

The actions of these officials blatantly violate various international agreements and domestic laws, including:

• The UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol) – Articles 3(a), 5.
• The UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) – Articles 8, 9, and 13.
• ILO Conventions No. 29 and 105, which are cynically misappropriated as labor collaboration.
• The EU and Schengen Visa Code – abetting document fraud and diplomatic misuse.
• Somalia Penal Code (1962) – gravely infringing Articles 452, 459, and 497.

Such malpractices severely breach trust, compromising international institutions and the very foundations of donor relationships. And if action isn’t promptly taken by the EU, UK, Canada, and the US, I am duty-bound to escalate. Formal complaints will be lodged, with comprehensive details, proof, and evidence, to the following bodies:

• The UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee,
• The EU Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights,
• The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
• The Canadian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Time is of the essence. Somalia deserves representation by individuals of integrity, not by those who would exploit your embassies, visas, and trust for personal gain. The risk of ignoring this issue is not Somalia’s alone; it’s a shared responsibility. The consequences of inaction will ripple back to those who enabled or ignored this unfolding scandal.

I am ready to stand up, to testify openly, with all evidence in hand. Silence and complacency are not options. Our people cannot be treated as mere commodities, nor our government as a conduit for illicit travel fraud. It’s time to say, enough is enough.

With a sense of hope and urgency,

Sincerely,

Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib – BA, MA, MASc, Ph.D

Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee

Federal Republic of Somalia, House of People

Mogadishu, Somalia

MP- HOP #201 Awdal Region and Gebileh District

Leader of the Accountability and Transparency Caucus

Contacts: W: +1-571-436-7586 | M: +252-6108-22469

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.