US Ambassador to Somalia arrives in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto has arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday, a week after triple car bombs killed at least 50 people in the seaside city, Garowe Online reports.

The U.S. mission to Somalia has confirmed the arrival of Yamamoto, saying he looks forward to strengthening the ties and cooperation between Somalia and Unites States of America [USA].

"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.

Ambassador Yamamoto is one of the highest-level U.S. ambassadors on the African continent, a symbol of the significance that the U.S. places on our 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 and the later remains in limbo between the government and Al-Shabaab and in the midst of war.

Appointed last July 2018, Don Yamamoto will replace Mr. Stephen Michael Schwartz who has been serving the office since July 2016, but, resigned in September last year, citing personal reasons.

The United States has restored its diplomatic mission in Somalia in 2014 for the first time since the “Black Hawk Down” incident barely 25 years ago.

GAROWE ONLINE