WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has nominated a career diplomat, Katherine Dhanani, to be the first US ambassador to Somalia since 1991.
The US Embassy in Mogadishu closed in 1991 after the Somali government collapsed and the country entered a civil war. A US military presence remained in Somalia, but that withdrew as well after the so-called Black Hawk Down
She is currently director of regional and security affairs at the State Department’s Africa bureau.
She has served in India, Mexico, Guyana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries.
If confirmed by the US Senate, Mrs Dhanani would lead the US mission in Somalia, which for security reasons is still based in Nairobi, Kenya.
incident in 1993, when Somali militiamen shot down two US helicopters, killing 18 service members.
Relations began to improve after civil and political activist Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected president in 2012, and the United States officially recognised the Somali government in 2013.
“Somalia has considerable work ahead to complete its transition to a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation,” said Ms Psaki. “The United States is committed to supporting Somalia on this journey as a steadfast partner.”
Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015
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