Somali delegates not seeking asylum in Switzerland, minister asserts after ILO conference

Somalia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has denied claims that the country’s government delegates who attended the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, have sought asylum.

In an interview with the BBC, the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Yusuf Mohamed Aden, refuted the claims as baseless, saying most of the delegates have returned to Somalia.

Aden clarified that he, among others, is still in Switzerland to complete scheduled assignments and responsibilities and will return once the conference concludes on June 13, 2025.

“We arrived on June 1, 2025, for the annual ILO conference. We fully participated, and most of the delegates who attended the event have returned. Four individuals, including myself, are still present. The conference ends on the 13th of this month, and those remaining are there to participate in important assignments,” said Aden.

He vowed action against unnamed individuals he accused of spreading the false reports to damage the credibility of the Somali government.

“We’ve been informed that this rumour originated from individuals with ulterior motives who seek to tarnish the reputation of the country and the Ministry. It’s unfortunate. We will begin collecting evidence to take legal steps. Those involved in this defamatory campaign will be brought to justice, and I urge the Somali public to be vigilant and not fall for such false information,” warned Aden.

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• Somalia
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• AU somalia
• Geneva Convention
• ILO
• Yusuf Mohamed Aden
• Somali delegates not seeking asylum in Switzerland
• minister asserts after ILO conference