Obama welcomes Somalia's first ambassador to the US in 20 years

Omar Abdirashid Ali Shamarke
Somali ambassador to the United States Omar Abdirashid Ali Shamarke pictured speaking to the media in 2009, when he served as Somalia's prime minister.
YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama has officially welcomed Somalia's new ambassador to the United States - the first since 1991.

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Omar Abdirashin Ali Sharmarke served as Somalia's Prime Minister in 2009 and 2010.

His arrival in Washington comes as the State Department prepares to announce a new U.S. ambassador to Somalia.

Macalester College Professor of International Studies Ahmed Samatar, a candidate in Somalia's 2012 presidential elections, joins The Daily Circuit to explain what difference this diplomatic fresh start could make.

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