Somalia’s Labour Minister denied allegations that government delegates sought asylum in Switzerland during the International Labour Organization’s 113th annual conference in Geneva.
Minister Yusuf Mohamed Aden dismissed the rumours as false, confirming that most Somali delegates who attended the ILO conference have already returned home safely.
Speaking to the BBC, Aden said only a few delegates remain in Switzerland, including himself, to complete official duties before returning.
Aden explained they arrived June 1 for the ILO meeting, and the conference will officially conclude on June 13, 2025, in Geneva.
“Most delegates already returned,” Aden stated. “Four of us are still here to finalize official tasks. We’ll return after completing our assigned responsibilities.”
He attributed the asylum rumours to individuals trying to damage Somalia’s reputation and spread misinformation about the delegation’s purpose and activities abroad.
“These fabrications came from people with bad intentions who want to harm the Ministry’s reputation and the image of Somalia internationally,” said Aden.
He warned that those responsible for spreading these claims would face legal action once proper evidence is gathered against them in accordance with the law.
Aden urged Somali citizens to ignore misinformation, remain vigilant against false reports, and trust only verified updates from government sources and reputable news agencies.
