US announces reopening of ‘permanent diplomatic presence’ in Somalia after 27 years
- Country:
- Somalia
The United States says it has re-established a "permanent diplomatic presence" in Somalia for the first time in 27 years.
"This historic event reflects Somalia's progress in recent years and is another step forward in formalizing U.S. diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu since recognizing the Federal Government of Somalia in 2013" the department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.
The US closed its Somalia embassy (in the capital city Mogadishu) in January 1991 as the country collapsed into civil war, with the military airlifting out the ambassador and others. The US formally recognized Somalia's new federal government in 2013 but has based its diplomatic mission in the capital of neighbouring Kenya.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry during a surprise 2015 visit to Somalia said the US would begin the process of re-establishing a diplomatic presence.
The US President Trump tapped Donald Yamamoto during the early phase of 2018 to be the permanent US ambassador to Somalia and the Senate confirmed the nomination in October.
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