Johannesburg - The relationship between the United States and Somalia has switched into top gear following the arrival of the first American Ambassador to Somalia in over 25 years.
Relations between the two countries collapsed in 1991 after the US closed its embassy following the overthrow of Mohamed Said Barre’s regime as violence erupted between warring clans and militias.
In 1992 George H W Bush sent US troops into the capital Mogadishu to support a UN mission to avert mass starvation.
However, the shooting down of an American Black Hawk helicopter and the killing of 18 American soldiers, with some of their bodies mutilated and dragged through the streets of the capital by rebels, marked the nadir in the relationship between the two countries, culminating in the withdrawal of US troops the following year.
On Tuesday, US Ambassador Stephen Schwartz, met with Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Omar Hadliye and presented his credentials to the Somali government.
In an interview with the African News Agency (ANA) on Wednesday morning, Somali Ambassador to South Africa, Jamal Mohamed Barrow said the arrival of Schwartz, who will help in trying to stabilise Somalia, was a significant development.
“The appointment of the new US Ambassador is vitally important for Somalia diplomatically,” said Barrow.
“It signals that Somalia has returned into the arena of international politics and it is also an indicator of the improving security situation in the country,” Barrow told ANA.
“The reopening of the US embassy in Somalia after 25 years will enable the Somali government and its people to get American support in terms of security, politics and humanitarian aid.
“Previously this aid was channelled indirectly through other agencies, including the United Nations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” said Barrow.
The new relationship between the US and Somalia will also enable the war-torn country to once again stand on its own feet economically, politically and socially, added the ambassador.
“Furthermore, this positive development will enable the large Somali community living in exile in the US to return home voluntarily, thereby investing in the country economically and intellectually,” said Barrow.
Prior to the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, Washington had funded numerous large-scale development projects.
Barrow said he was hopeful that these projects would be reactivated in the near future in order to contribute to the country’s economic development.
“In regards to Somalia’s fight against terrorism, the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the US will also involve the two countries organising strategically in counter-terrorism operations in the most efficient and effective way possible,” said Barrow.
Schwartz, meanwhile, praised Somalia’s progress over the last eight years and urged Somali leaders to deepen their commitment to improving the lives of Somali people, including women and youth, according to a statement from the Somali Foreign Ministry.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday praised Somali preparations for upcoming presidential elections, following the announcement of a new timetable for these by the Somali Federal Electoral Implementation Team (FEIT) that set October 30 as the date for presidential elections.
Africa News Agency