Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -The decision to have Somalia’s Minister of Defence personally receive a Somali referee recently deported from the United States has sparked public debate and raised questions about government protocol and priorities.
The referee arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu after being removed from the United States. However, it was not the deportation itself that attracted public attention, but rather the presence of the Minister of Defence among officials welcoming him upon arrival.
Observers have questioned why one of the country’s most senior security officials was assigned to receive a returning citizen whose case was not related to national defence, security, or military affairs. Traditionally, matters involving athletes, referees, and sports personalities fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Youth and Sports or the relevant sports federations.
Protocol experts note that cabinet ministers are generally assigned duties that correspond to their portfolios. In most circumstances, a Minister of Defence would be expected to focus on national security, defence policy, military operations, and strategic security matters rather than airport receptions for returning civilians.
Critics argue that if the government wished to welcome the referee, the reception could have been led by officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Somali Football Federation, or other relevant institutions. They contend that assigning a Defence Minister to such an event sends mixed signals about government priorities at a time when Somalia continues to face significant security challenges.
Others have also questioned whether it is appropriate to organize a high-profile reception for an individual who was deported from another country, arguing that the focus should instead be on addressing the circumstances that led to the deportation and supporting the individual’s reintegration into society.
Supporters of the reception maintain that every Somali citizen deserves dignity and respect upon returning home, regardless of the circumstances. They argue that welcoming returning nationals demonstrates national unity and solidarity.