A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Somalia
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.
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The U.S. Embassy closed on January 5, 1991, and all U.S. personnel were withdrawn after the collapse of the central Somali government; however, the United States did not sever diplomatic relations with Somalia.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.