Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
WASHINGTON (HOL)---The Unites States appointed a new ambassador to Somalia, the highest ranking diplomat US would send to the war-torn country since 1991.
The new appointment of Katherine S. Dhanani signals a new US diplomatic move to build relations with Somalia which is recovering from decades of war. The US mission to Somalia has long been based in Nairobi for security reasons, however, the new ambassador is expected to move to Somalia to reopen the US embassy in Mogadishu.
“The United States is committed to supporting Somalia on this journey as a steadfast partner.” said Jen Psaki, State Department Spokesperson in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The world community has sent dozens of ambassadors to Somalia after the country ousted Islamist militants from large areas in southern Somalia, bringing a relative peace to Mogadishu.
The Al-Qaeda linked group has since stepped up attacks against the government and the African Union forces supporting it.