Trump nominates Devin Kennington as next U.S. Ambassador to Somalia

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Devin Kennington to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Somalia, potentially ending a lengthy period without a Senate-confirmed U.S. ambassador in Mogadishu.

The nomination was submitted to the U.S. Senate for consideration and requires confirmation before Kennington can formally assume the post. The White House has been sending a new batch of ambassadorial and other senior nominations to the Senate as part of the administration’s efforts to fill diplomatic vacancies.

If confirmed, Kennington would become Washington’s first Senate-confirmed ambassador to Somalia since Richard H. Riley left the position in December 2025 after being recalled by the Trump administration.

The appointment comes at a significant time for U.S.-Somalia relations, with Washington maintaining a strong focus on security cooperation, counterterrorism and support for Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its national security institutions.

The new ambassador would also take up the post as Somalia continues its transition toward greater responsibility for national security, including preparations for the eventual drawdown of African Union-backed forces and the expansion of Somali security capabilities.

Kennington’s nomination will now proceed through the Senate confirmation process. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee handles ambassadorial nominations before they can proceed to a vote by the full Senate.

If confirmed, Kennington will represent the United States in Mogadishu at a time when Somalia is seeking to deepen its international partnerships while addressing security, humanitarian and economic challenges.

Mustaqbal