Rep. Ellison Statement on the Credentialing of the New Somali Ambassador to the United States

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after President Obama accepted the credentials for the new Somali Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.

"It is with great pleasure and honor that I extend congratulations to His Excellency Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the new Somali Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Sharmarke is the first Somali Ambassador to the United States since 1991. This is a historic moment for the future of a democratic Somalia and for the future of relations between our two countries. As the former Prime Minister of Somalia from 2009 to 2010, Mr. Sharmarke is well prepared to continue building a free, peaceful Somalia.

"I represent the largest community of Somalis outside of Somalia and I am dedicated to a stable and democratic future for Somalia. I look forward to working with His Excellency and I would like him to visit Minneapolis as soon as possible. Together, we can promote security, economic prosperity, and well-being for Somalis both here in the U.S. and in Somalia."

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