Somalia: U.S. Recognition and Diplomatic Relations since 1776

Summary

The United States recognized Somalia in 1960. In 1991 the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu closed, although the United States did not sever diplomatic relations.

Modern Flag of Somalia

Recognition

U.S. Recognition of Somalia’s Independence, 1960

The United States recognized the Somali Republic on July 1, 1960, in a congratulatory message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower to President Aden Abdulla Osman. The Somali Republic was formed by the union of Somalia, which previously had been under Italian administration as a United Nations trust territory, and Somaliland, which had been a British protectorate until June 26, 1960.

Diplomatic Relations

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and the U.S. Embassy in Somalia, 1960

Diplomatic relations were established on July 1, 1960, when the U.S. Consulate General at Mogadiscio (now Mogadishu) was elevated to Embassy status, with Andrew G. Lynch as Chargé d’Affaires.

Closure of U.S. Embassy in Somalia, 1991

The U.S. Embassy closed on January 5, 1991, and all U.S. personnel were withdrawn after the collapse of the central Somali government; however, the United States did not sever diplomatic relations with Somalia. Through the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the United States maintained regular dialogue with transitional governments and other key stakeholders in Somalia, and after January 17, 2013, with the newly recognized central government of Somalia.

Re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Somalia, 2018

The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu was re-opened on December 2, 2018, under the direction of Ambassador Donald Yamamoto. U.S. Embassy Nairobi continued to handle consular coverage for Somalia.

Resources

Where this page came from

This page was imported from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776, published by the Office of the Historian of the U.S. Department of State: a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

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