Somali President Visits Minnesota to Cheers, Protests

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of the Federal Republic of Somalia has visited Minnesota on Sat. Jan. 19 and met jubilant crowds.

Over 4000 people,most of them Somali-Americans, have welcomed the president at Minneapolis Convention Center.

The president spoke for an hour as the crowd waved flags and cheered on as he outlined his agenda for bringing Somalia back to the community of nations.

"We will open our embassy in Washington and a consular office in Minnesota," said the president.


There were about 50-100 people protesting outside of the hall where the president gave the speech. Some had banners that read "we need a president who respects the constitution."