Farewell to Matt Baugh, UK Ambassador to Somalia

Office of the President of Somalia
Press release
Thursday, June 13, 2013

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H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, today bid farewell to the UK Ambassador, H.E. Matt Baugh, as he comes to the end of his three year mission in Somalia.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the President said:

“Our friend Matt Baugh, UK Ambassador to Somalia, is going back to London after three years of making an impossible mission possible. His exemplary service and diplomatic leadership has focused the UK’s support to Somalia and has helped Somalia regain its place in the community of nations.

“Somalia is very sorry to see Matt Baugh leave, but he leaves a legacy of UK leadership that we will appreciate for many years to come. His determination and passion convinced others that Somalia is a worthy cause to be supported.

“Matt Baugh came to Somalia as a ‘Senior Representative’ and since then became the first UK Ambassador to Somalia since 1991 and opened the UK Embassy here in Mogadishu.

“Mr Baugh’s commitment ensured the success of the two London Conferences in 2012 and in 2013, convened and hosted by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP.”

The President went on to say, “I have no doubt that when you came to Somalia there was no hope, no roadmap, no peace, no development and there appeared to be no way through. However, your commitment and desire to make change, together with International Community, epitomised the UK’s leading role in making the changes that brought hope, a roadmap, peace, development and a way out of the quaqmire.

“The UK realises that the issues faced by Somalia, such as extremism, terrorism, piracy, chaos, poverty, lack of education, health, famine and refugees are all global issues which require global solution. And this is why they have taken such a strong lead in Somalia.”

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