In recent weeks, both local and international news outlets widely circulated claims that members of the Somali government delegation attending the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva had deserted their responsibilities to seek asylum in European countries. However, a comprehensive Somali Stream investigation has uncovered no reliable evidence supporting these allegations.
The Somali delegation, led by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, attended the conference at the invitation of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Agency that hosted the event. According to official documents obtained by Somali Stream, corroborated through interviews and travel records, nearly all invited delegates either returned home, did not travel, or journeyed to known destinations—contradicting reports of desertion to Europe.
ILO Invitation and Travel Arrangements
The ILO had formally approved 22 Somali participants for the conference: two representatives from Somalia’s diplomatic mission in Switzerland and 20 delegates from the Ministry of Labour and Workers’ Unions. Due to internal funding constraints, four individuals were ultimately unable to travel.
Sixteen visa applications were submitted through the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi, all of which were granted. One senior official, Yusuf Hassan Isaaq (Wadani), Director General at the Ministry of Labour, did not use his visa as he was already on official business in the United States.
Who Traveled and Where: Tracking Movements
Somali Stream cross-verified passenger manifests, visa records, open-source data, and digital footprints to trace the movements of all named delegates:
Minister Yusuf Mohamed Aden left Geneva on June 12 aboard Ethiopian Airlines ET 729, reaching Mogadishu via Addis Ababa by June 13.
Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary-General of FESTU, accompanied the Minister, flying back to Mogadishu on June 13 on the same flight.
Maryan Ahmed Mohamed was issued a visa but did not travel; her visa expired June 16.
Ahmed Hassan Ismail, a member of the Minister’s office, returned on the same flight as the Minister (ET 729, Seat 48D) and is now in Mogadishu.
Hassan Ali Geesey, representing SIMHA, flew out from Geneva on June 5 and spent Eid with his family in Nairobi.
Abukar Sheikh Mahmoud, Director for Shabelle Media, departed Geneva on June 11, traveled via Turkish Airlines TK 1920, and arrived in Mogadishu from Ankara the following day.
Farah Lamane, a BBC Somali journalist, exited Geneva on June 12 on Ethiopian Airlines ET 729 and ET 318, arriving in Nairobi on June 13.
Ahmed Osman Said, head of NUSOJ, left Geneva for Mogadishu on June 5 and soon resumed his duties in Garowe, Puntland.
Hussein Bashir Mahmoud received a visa, which lapsed on June 16, but did not embark on the trip; his current location is unconfirmed.
Nasra Abdullahi Mohamed attended the conference beginning June 5, then departed June 11 on Qatar Airways QR 0102 to Doha, connecting onward to Nairobi on QR 1341.
Mohamed Amin Shaafi received a visa but did not attend due to work obligations at home.
Osman Haji Ibrahim flew out of Geneva on June 7 and has since returned to his home in Mogadishu.
Suad Abdullahi Moalim, a senior director at ministry returning to the conference for a second year, left Geneva on June 9 and is currently in Mogadishu.
Abdifitah Dahir Jeyte, a representative from state media, participated until June 8 before briefly visiting Norway for a diaspora journalists’ event; he is now back in Mogadishu.
Mahad Ahmed Mohamed departed Switzerland June 5 and landed in Nairobi within two days via Ethiopian Airlines ET 318.
No Evidence of Asylum Applications
Based on extensive official documentation and direct interviews, Somali Stream determined that none of the delegation members applied for asylum or stayed in Europe without authorization. All movements were documented, and each delegate’s travel was lawful and accounted for.
Origin of the False Reports
The source of the inaccurate reports appears linked to individuals and groups denied official invitations to the conference. Frustrated by their exclusion—a result of the ILO’s cooperative structure involving the Somali government and labor unions—these actors seemingly attempted to undermine the integrity of the delegation by spreading false narratives.
Ultimately, stories suggesting Somali officials absconded to Europe have been thoroughly discredited as nothing more than unfounded rumors.
The Ministry of Labour has publicly condemned the “false and defamatory” claims, citing significant damage to Somalia’s reputation and institutional credibility. To date, no disciplinary or legal actions have been announced against those spreading the misinformation, though some suspects are believed to hold positions within the government.
A Wake-Up Call on Media Literacy and State Preparedness
This incident highlights concerns about the Somali government’s ability to counter misinformation. Despite being frequently targeted by rumors and fabricated reports, Somali institutions continue to lack adequate legal tools, media expertise, and digital resources to effectively combat and dispel such narratives across traditional and social media.
There is growing demand for the government to address the harm done by politically motivated leaks and media manipulation—and to strengthen systems that preserve the legitimacy and reputation of national institutions.