French president receives credentials from Somali ambassador

French President François Hollande has received credentials from Somalia’s new ambassador to France, Ambassador Ali Sharif Ahmed.

Ambassador Ahmed handed over his credentials in a brief event at the French presidential palace.

He also presented a message from the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to President Hollande.

The Somali diplomat received a warm reception at the Élysée Palace.

The Somali Cabinet on March this year approved the ambassadorship of Ahmed.

Somalia has one of the largest embassy buildings in the France, which is located near the  presidential palace of France.

Somalia has in recent years made great strides in restoring diplomatic relation with the rest of the word, strengthening its foreign relationship and re-opening several embassies.

Ambassador Ahmed becomes the first Somali ambassador to France since the collapse of the central government in 1991.

France remains one the countries that support Somalia.