MOGADISHU – Somalia’s Minister of Labour, Yusuf Mohamed Aden, is under intense scrutiny following revelations of a human trafficking network embedded within his ministry. This network is accused of exploiting international forums particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO) to smuggle individuals into Europe under the pretense of official government delegations.
An investigation has uncovered that 22 individuals were submitted as Somalia’s delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, scheduled for June 2025. However, only 17 names were found on the official accreditation list—raising immediate red flags about how and why five unvetted individuals were added.
A Government Network of Smugglers
At the center of the scandal are Minister Yusuf Mohamed Aden, Director General Yusuf Hassan Isaak, and Su’aad Abdullahi Moalim, the Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry. Moalim is accused of using her authority to insert her sister, Nasro Abdullahi Moalim, onto the delegation list, despite her having no known role in government or the labor sector.
Among the most controversial names is Omar Faruk Osman Nur, Secretary General of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU). While Osman has long claimed to represent Somali workers, his use of a Somali service passport normally reserved for government officials has triggered alarm and confusion.
“How is Omar Faruk Osman using a service passport if he is not employed by the government?” asked one MP on the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Social Affairs. “Is he acting independently, or has FESTU been co-opted into this corrupt network?”
The ILO Trafficking Ring: A 12-Year Operation (2013–2025)
For over a decade, Omar Faruk Osman has run a covert trafficking ring disguised as union activism. From his former position in the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) to his current FESTU leadership, Omar exploited international conferences particularly the ILO’s annual sessions in Geneva to facilitate illegal migration.
Modus Operandi:
Fake Delegates for Sale: Individuals such as Maryan Ahmed Mohamed, Mahad Ahmed Mohamed, and the Moalim sisters were fraudulently listed as “labor advisors” or “experts” after allegedly paying between $6,000 and $8,000 each.
Diplomatic & Service Passport Abuse: In close coordination with Minister Yusuf and Director Yusuf, Omar facilitated access to diplomatic or service passports to ease clients’ entry into Europe.
A Ministry insider confirmed:
“The ILO delegation was used as a cover. This is not the first time—it’s become a gateway for trafficking.”
A Risk Flagged Long Ago
This scandal adds credibility to long-standing concerns raised by the United Nations Risk Management Unit (RMU). A 2012 UN report warned:
“The RMU issued a risk assessment on 24 July 2012 regarding Omar Faruk Osman, citing allegations of financial mismanagement, fraud, and endangerment. Terminated partnerships with donors like KIOS and Press Now were noted due to fund misuse. The RMU recommended against UN engagement with Osman due to high integrity and reputational risks.”
Yet, despite that recommendation, Omar retained his platform and expanded his influence within government circles.
Backlash & Political Paralysis
Following public outrage, Parliament has summoned Minister Yusuf for questioning. But critics say his close ties to Speaker Aden Madobe could shield him from serious consequences.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an internal review to determine how the unauthorized names bypassed standard protocols.
This scandal also comes months after Italy and Turkey suspended visa processing in Somalia, citing concerns about trafficking networks linked to misuse of Somali diplomatic credentials.
Profiting from Desperation
“Even countries like Angola are sending only 10 delegates to Geneva,” said Mohamed Osman Haji, a labor unionist in Mogadishu. “Somalia—reliant on aid—sends 22? Someone is clearly profiting.”
Reportedly, corrupt travel agents working with insiders in the Ministry have sold delegation slots for $8,000 to $15,000 per person transforming public institutions into profit engines for smugglers.
Calls for Reform, But No Arrests
Mustafa Duhulow, the new Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), held a high-level meeting in April with officials from border control and investigative divisions.
“We must protect our youth and dismantle this network of exploitation,” Duhulow declared during a televised address on Kaab TV.
Despite these public statements, no arrests have been made, and senior figures implicated in the scandal remain in office.
Conclusion: When Public Office Becomes a Trafficking Tool
This scandal reveals the depth of institutional decay in Somalia where positions of public trust have been weaponized to exploit vulnerable citizens.
Unless transparent investigations are launched and prosecutions follow, Somalia faces not just international isolation, but the continued betrayal of its own people by those sworn to serve them.
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