Washington (SD) – Somalia born Ilhan Omar, a member of the US House of Representatives, has been appointed Deputy Chair of the on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations subcommittee.

In a released statement, Rep Ilhan Omar confirmed her appointment to the subcommittee “Upholding basic human rights around the world is a core priority for me and the Fifth District of Minnesota,”

Omar, a Progressive Democrat, added. “As someone who represents a large African diaspora community and is the first African-born immigrant to serve in Congress, I am particularly excited to play a leadership role in overseeing our international aid and foreign policy on the continent.”

Rep Ilhan Omar said she’s focussed on pandemic affects everywhere “Amidst a global pandemic that has devastated people’s livelihoods everywhere, it is important to make sure that the most vulnerable in Minnesota and around the world are getting access to much-needed aid and medicine.”

Rep Ilhan was previously a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee although critics had previously called for her removal after widely criticized remarks she made in 2019 about Israel’s political influence in the United States.

Ilhan Omar was also repeatedly attacked by former US president Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential election campaign.