Minnesotans watch diplomatic ties to Somalia return

Before reporting to the U.S. diplomatic mission to Somalia last month, the new ambassador, Donald Yamamoto, visited Minnesota’s international community.

His dialogue in Minnesota has since taken on new meaning for SomaliAmericans in the state, which has the nation’s largest Somali community. The State Department said this week that it will re-establish a “permanent diplomatic presence” in Somalia for the first time in more than a quarter-century.

“The community feels like we have been heard and we have been listened to,” said Jibril Afyare, president of the SomaliAmerican Citizens League, who helped facilitate Yamamoto’s visit.

The U.S. described the policy shift a reflection of Somalia’s recent progress and an important step toward diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu, the country’s capital, which hasn’t had a U.S. Embassy since the central government collapsed during a civil war in 1991.

Abdi Samatar, a University of Minnesota professor, credited an increased willingness among citizens to invest in improving Somalia’s infrastructure for paving the way for a diplomatic move he described as positive and symbolic. But, he said, “Unless there is a seriousness in Mogadishu on the Somali side, this may come to naught in many ways.”

Corruption still plagues the government, Samatar said. And the al-Shabab terrorist group continues to wreak havoc with regular attacks along Mogadishu’s principal thoroughfares. Bringing that group under control and achieving a sense of stability will remain a top priority for Somalis abroad and for their relatives in Minnesota, Samatar said.

“I just think the psychological boost for the community will be tremendous if Somalia comes back to be a normal country,” Samatar said.

Expectations already are high in Minnesota after the State Department’s announcement Tuesday, said Democratic state Rep.elect Mohamud Noor.

“The road map, I think, depends on the people who are governing Somalia, but there is also a stake we can play in terms of ensuring that there is transparency and there is accountability,” Noor said.