Friday 16 Jun 2026 {HMC} The United States has appointed veteran diplomat Justin Davis as chargé d’affaires ad interim at its embassy in Somalia, placing him in charge of one of Washington’s most complex and high-risk diplomatic missions at a politically sensitive moment for the Horn of Africa.
The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu said Davis formally assumed the role this week, taking over day-to-day leadership of the mission following the departure of the previous head of mission. The announcement was made in a statement posted on the embassy’s official X account.
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“Justin Davis has assumed duties as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, ensuring continuity of U.S. diplomatic engagement and advancing U.S. interests in Somalia in line with the Trump Administration’s America First priorities,” the statement said.
Davis, who also serves as deputy chief of mission, is a career diplomat with nearly two decades of experience across Latin America, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He has been stationed in Somalia as part of the senior leadership team overseeing U.S. diplomatic, security and development engagement in the country.
A chargé d’affaires ad interim temporarily leads an embassy in the absence of an ambassador, acting as the top U.S. representative and overseeing political, security and administrative affairs until a permanent appointment is made.
Davis takes up the role at a time of heightened diplomatic and political strain. Somalia is preparing for elections next year amid a widening political impasse between federal leaders and opposition figures, while regional tensions have intensified following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland a move rejected by Mogadishu and most of the international community.
The appointment also comes against a complex backdrop in U.S. policy. While the Trump administration has rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, the U.S. representative to the U.N. Security Council abstained during a vote in which other members rejected the move, underscoring internal policy sensitivities.
The United States remains a key partner for Somalia’s federal government, providing support for counterterrorism operations against al-Shabab and backing state-building efforts, while also pressing Somali leaders on governance and political consensus.
Source Hiiraan online
