The newly appointed United States of America Ambassador to Somalia, Donald Yamamoto, arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday, a week after triple car bombs killed at least 50 people in the seaside city. The U.S. mission to Somalia confirmed the arrival of Yamamoto, saying he looked forward to strengthening the ties and cooperation between Somalia and the U.S.
“The United States is pleased to announce the arrival of the Ambassador, Donald Y. Yamamoto, to head the United States Mission to the Federal Republic of Somalia,” said the U.S. mission in a statement. According to the statement, Mr. Yamamoto is one of the highest-level U.S. ambassadors on the African continent, a symbol of the significance the U.S. attaches on the relationship with the people and government of Somalia.
Previously, Yamamoto, 65, served as the U.S. ambassador to neighboring countries, namely Ethiopia from 2006-2009 and Djibouti from 2000-2003. His arrival comes at a time when the U.S. is expanding its military presence in Somalia.
Appointed last July 2018, Yamamoto will replace Mr. Stephen Michael Schwartz, who has been serving in the office since July 2016, but, resigned in September last year, citing personal reasons. The U.S restored its diplomatic mission in Somalia in 2014 for the first time since the “Black Hawk Down” incident barely 25 years ago.
