U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Among Career Diplomats Recalled Under Trump Shake-Up

GOOBJOOG NEWS|WASHINGTON: The U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard H. Riley, is among nearly 30 career diplomats being recalled from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts as the Trump administration moves to realign America’s diplomatic corps with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.

According to two State Department officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their assignments will end in January. The move marks one of the most significant personnel reshuffles affecting career diplomats since the start of President Trump’s second term.

Ambassador Riley, who took up his post in May 2024, has led the U.S. mission in Somalia during a politically delicate period. His tenure has focused on strengthening cooperation with Somali authorities on security, governance, and development, while supporting democratic processes and reinforcing Washington’s commitment to stability in the Horn of Africa.

All of the diplomats affected were appointed during the Biden administration but initially survived an early round of changes under President Trump that largely targeted political appointees rather than career officials.

Africa has been hit hardest by the recalls, with ambassadors affected in 13 countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.

In Asia, ambassadorial changes are set to affect six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Europe follows with four countries impacted: Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia. Two countries each are affected in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt), South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka), and the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname).

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on individual cases or confirm the exact number of diplomats being recalled, but defended the move, saying it reflects “a standard process in any administration.”

Ambassador Riley’s planned departure comes at a sensitive moment for Somalia, which is approaching critical elections amid an opposition boycott and rising concerns that political tensions could escalate, raising questions about continuity in U.S. engagement during a pivotal period for the country.