Biden picks career diplomat Riley, IV as new ambassador to Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden has nominated career diplomat Richard H. Riley, IV as the next ambassador to Somalia.

If approved by the Senate, Riley will replace Larry E. André, Jr who has been in the position since January 2022. According to the White House, ambassador Riley has served in several stations in the world and is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor.

Ambassador Riley currently serves as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.  He has served in various capacities in London, England, Moscow, Russia, Beijing and Chengdu, China, as well as Kingston, Jamaica, Peshawar, Pakistan among others.

Ambassador Riley now becomes the fourth US ambassador to Somalia since Washington formally recognised the new Somali government in 2013.