Somali Bus Drivers in Sweden Protest Racist Election Ads Linking Them to Mogadishu

In Sweden's Skaraborg region, more than 20 bus drivers of Somali descent staged a protest by calling in sick to oppose election advertisements they deemed racist and threatening to their workplace safety.

The ads, displayed on local buses ahead of the 2026 Swedish election, featured messages such as, “Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant helps you get home.” Another version referenced Kabul. These advertisements promoted a government repatriation grant designed to financially assist migrants who voluntarily return to their countries of origin.

The Somali drivers felt the ads unfairly linked them to Mogadishu, contributing to a hostile environment marked by fears of harassment and abusive remarks at work.

Responding to the concerns, Västtrafik, the public transport operator in western Sweden, removed the controversial ads from the buses. The company emphasized that the decision was driven by workplace safety considerations rather than political content.

Mette Ramquist, Västtrafik’s press chief, acknowledged the error in approving the ads without foreseeing their negative impact on employees. She stated, “We made a misjudgment when we approved these advertisements and did not see the risk to the working environment that later arose.”

Meanwhile, the Sweden Democrats party, responsible for the campaign, criticized the removal. Tobias Andersson, a party MP and district chairman in Skaraborg, accused Västtrafik of succumbing to pressure from the protesting drivers and interfering with the election. He noted the ads had previously been approved and questioned the reversal.

Västtrafik clarified that other Sweden Democrats advertisements remain in place across the region and that only the two buses carrying the disputed ads were affected due to safety concerns.

This incident has heightened the debate on racism, immigration, and political campaigning ahead of Sweden’s September 13 elections.