Leader attacks lawmaker amid wealth probe as tensions rise in capital

The nation’s head of state launched a verbal assault on a prominent opposition lawmaker Tuesday, calling her “crooked” amid an ongoing legislative investigation into her reportedly dramatic increase in declared wealth.

Speaking from the presidential compound, the leader targeted a member of the lower chamber known for her progressive positions, alleging financial impropriety as conservative lawmakers in the legislature examine how her net worth allegedly increased by $30 million in a single year, according to financial disclosures that surfaced last week.

“I was told that [the lawmaker] is worth $30 million,” the head of state reportedly stated during the briefing. “She never had a job. She’s a crooked congressman.”

The remarks came as the ruling party’s Oversight Committee chairman has launched a probe focusing on both the lawmaker and her husband’s business interests. Financial disclosure documents show that a firm co-founded by her spouse was valued between $5 million and $25 million in 2024, compared to just $1 to $1,000 the previous year.

Similarly, a winery that first appeared on the lawmaker’s disclosure reports in 2020 jumped in reported value from $15,000-$50,000 to between $1 million and $5 million over the same period.

The targeted legislator, who emigrated from Somalia and represents a northern industrial region, has denied being a millionaire, posting on social media earlier this year that she “barely” has thousands in assets. She has characterized the investigation as politically motivated targeting by conservative lawmakers.

Observers note that the leader’s comments extended beyond financial allegations to broader criticism of the lawmaker’s immigrant background, with the head of state making disparaging remarks about her country of origin. “Somalia is not even a country,” the leader allegedly stated, describing it as “just about the worst in the world.”

The verbal attack comes as the administration has reportedly ramped up immigration enforcement efforts in the northern state the lawmaker represents, which has a significant Somali immigrant population. Officials have allegedly arrested thousands of individuals in recent operations, according to government sources.

As is common in nations with deep political polarization, the wealth investigation appears to have taken on broader political dimensions, with ruling party officials suggesting they are aware of additional allegations against the opposition lawmaker. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the executive branch and opposition lawmakers in the legislature’s lower chamber.

The case reflects the country’s continuing struggles with political division and the intersection of immigration, wealth inequality, and partisan investigations that have become characteristic of the nation’s political landscape in recent years.