After almost three decades, the United States reopened a permanent Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, in Somalia.
On June 17 in Mogadishu, USAID Administrator Mark Green said the United States is opening the Mission in Somalia’s capital “because the people of Somalia and the leadership of Somalia have shown a commitment to pursuing a more citizen-centered, more resilient, and more self-reliant future. And at USAID, when we find leaders who are willing to take on tough choices and the reforms that are necessary to pursue self-reliance, then we want to walk with them along the way. And that is what opening a Mission is all about.”
On June 17, Administrator Green announced that the United States will provide nearly $185 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Somalia to address life-threatening food insecurity and acute malnutrition and deliver safe water and emergency health care services to people affected by ongoing conflict and prolonged drought. The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, providing nearly $672 million since the start of Fiscal Year 2018.
In his remarks at the opening of the Mission, Administrator Green praised the government and people of Somalia for the strides they have made over the last several years. ”Reform efforts, based on a sincere commitment to peace, citizen-responsive governance, and the expansion of economic opportunity have built a sense of optimism here and across the country that a brighter day does in fact lie ahead,” he said.
Administrator Green noted that Somalia continues to face great challenges and that its young democracy requires further nurturing. He called the elections which are to be held next year, “a historic opportunity for trying the principles of democratic representation, free and fair elections, and the peaceful transfer of power, turning that into practice.”
The establishment of the USAID Mission in Mogadishu, “is an important milestone in deepening the U.S. –Somalia development partnership,” declared Administrator Green. “We’re very proud to stand together and work with all of you towards a more stable, democratic and prosperous future.”
