The United States has reopened its embassy in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, nearly three decades after the country plunged into civil war in 1991.
The embassy was shut down on January 5, 1991 following the outbreak of civil war that saw Somalia’s leader, Mohammed Siad Barre overthrown.
Since the closure of the embassy, the United States has maintained its partnership with the Somali people, including the re-establishment of a permanent diplomatic presence in Mogadishu in December 2018 with the U.S. Mission to Somalia.
“The reestablishment of Embassy Mogadishu is another step forward in the resumption of regular U.S.-Somali relations, symbolizing the strengthening of U.S.-Somalia relations and advancement of stability, development, and peace for Somalia, and the region,” said a statement from the embassy.
US envoy to Somalia, Donald Yamamoto said that the opening of the embassy is a significant and historic day that reflects Somalia’s progress in recent years.
“Today we reaffirm the relations between the American people and the Somali people, and our two nations. It is a significant and historic day that reflects Somalia’s progress in recent years, and another step forward in regularizing U.S. diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu since recognizing the federal government of Somalia in 2013,” he added.
He pointed out that the U.S. Embassy Mogadishu will act to enhance cooperation, advance U.S. national strategic interests, and support overall security, political, and economic development goals and objectives.
JK/abj/APA