United States Supports Functioning Government in Somalia

20 September 2005

U.S. Department of State
Fact Sheet
[September 20, 2005]

The United States is continuing to maintain informal contacts with entities in Somalia. Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto recently met with leaders from Somalia to underscore U.S. support for the establishment of a functioning government in Somalia and the need for consensus within the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions in order to begin the process of establishing governance.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamamoto welcomed the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Assembly of Somalia, Shariff Hassan Sheikh Adan, to the State Department on September 14, 2005. He underscored this U.S. support and urged the Speaker to continue his efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to current disagreements between Somali leaders.

During the UN General Assembly in New York City on September 16, 2005, Deputy Assistant Secretary Yamamoto met with Somali Transitional President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. He again underscored the above U.S. support and urged President Yusuf to take immediate steps to reduce tension and engage in a constructive dialogue with other members of the Transitional Federal Institutions to find a peaceful solution to current disagreements. 

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