MOGADISHU, Somalia – United States Ambassador to Somalia, Donald Yamamoto says its embassy in Kenya’s capital Nairobi will be moved into Somali capital Mogadishu next month.
In an interview with VOA, Yamamoto says United States would move its embassy in Nairobi capital to Somalia earlier December this year.
Yamamoto arrived in Somalia earlier this week, after he was appointed as a new US ambassador to Somali capital Mogadishu.
The US re-opened its diplomatic mission to Somalia in Kenya’s capital Nairobi in 2015, the latest step in restoring diplomatic ties since it withdrew from the country two decades ago.
The US withdrew from Somalia in 1993 after 18 American servicemen were killed in the capital, Mogadishu while Hundreds of Somalis also died in the incident, known as Black Hawk Down.
May 5, 2015, John Kerry became the first US secretary of state to visit Somalia, shortly after US re-opened its diplomatic mission to Somalia.
The US says it would continue supporting Somali government in fighting against Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group.
The Somalia based Al Shabaab terror group continues to be weakened following three days of airstrikes by US forces that have left 50 dead, according to US Africom command.
The US forces always support to African Union forces and Somali troops in a bid to reduce the group’s chances to pose a security threat in Somalia and its neighboring nations.
Since 2007, Al Shabaab has fought to topple the internationally-backed government of Somalia.
The Al Qaeda inspired group Al Shabaab was pushed out of Somali capital Mogadishu in 2011 after joint military operation carried out by Somali forces backed by African Union soldiers.
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