U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Among Career Diplomats Recalled in Administration Shake-Up

Washington – The Trump administration has begun recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy positions. The move is part of a broader effort to align the U.S. diplomatic corps abroad with President Donald Trump’s foreign policy priorities.

According to two State Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were notified last week that their tenures will conclude in January.

Among those affected is U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley. A career diplomat who assumed his post in May 2024, Riley has led the mission during a critical period. His tenure focused on strengthening bilateral relations in security, governance, and development, engaging with Somali political leaders, supporting democratic processes, and reinforcing U.S. commitment to stability in the Horn of Africa.

All recalled diplomats were appointed during the Biden administration. They had remained in place through an earlier shake-up at the start of President Trump’s second term, which initially targeted political appointees rather than career officials.

The recall impacts multiple regions globally:

· Africa is the most affected, with 13 countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.

· Asia follows with six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

· Europe sees changes in four countries: Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia.

· Two countries each are impacted 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 specific numbers or individuals but defended the action, describing it as “a standard process in any administration.”

Ambassador Riley’s scheduled departure in January coincides with a sensitive period for Somalia. The country is preparing for critical elections amid an opposition boycott and rising concerns that political tensions could escalate into unrest.