STATEMENT ON THE NOMINATION OF DEVIN KENNINGTON AS UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO SOMALIA
I am extremely grateful to President Donald J. Trump for selecting Devin Kennington to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Based on Mr. Kennington’s documented Foreign Service experience - including his service in Djibouti, leadership responsibilities in the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, and extensive work involving consular operations, citizenship documentation, identity verification and fraud prevention - I believe he is qualified to lead the diplomatic responsibilities of the United States Mission in Somalia.
His nomination comes at a decisive moment. Somalia faces interconnected challenges involving terrorism, political instability, immigration and repatriation, passport and visa integrity, biometric-data protection, public corruption and declining confidence in government institutions.
I have publicly maintained that Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s constitutional term expired and that his continued attempts to consolidate power outside an agreed constitutional and electoral framework threaten Somalia’s stability, security and political future. Somalia therefore needs experienced international engagement that supports constitutional order, national unity, accountable government and the rule of law.
Mr. Kennington’s selection suggests that Washington may increasingly approach the Somalia mission through four critical lenses:
1. Counterterrorism and security cooperation.
2. Immigration and lawful repatriation cooperation.
3. Passport, visa, citizenship and biometric-data integrity.
4. Closer scrutiny of corruption, fraud and government reliability.
These are not theoretical concerns. They are among the most immediate threats confronting Somalia and its international partners. An ambassador familiar with fragile political environments, identity-document vulnerabilities, institutional fraud and complex security conditions could make a meaningful and positive difference.
My assessment is based on Mr. Kennington’s professional background and its relevance to Somalia’s present challenges. It does not represent unconditional approval of every policy he may pursue. His performance must ultimately be judged by whether he respects Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, engages all legitimate Somali stakeholders, supports constitutional governance and advances an accountable relationship between the United States and the Somali people.
To demonstrate the seriousness of my assessment, I am prepared to testify before the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee concerning his nomination. As a former member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia, I can provide factual testimony regarding Somalia’s security environment, institutional corruption, compromised identity systems, misuse of public resources and continuing constitutional crisis.
I am also prepared to explain directly to senators how Mr. Kennington’s particular experience could positively influence American diplomatic engagement with Somalia.
If Mr. Kennington is confirmed by the Senate and assumes his responsibilities as United States ambassador, I am ready to work with him 100 percent. I will cooperate fully and share my experience, institutional knowledge and documented evidence whenever doing so can advance security, constitutional governance, accountability, transparency and the enduring partnership between the American and Somali peoples.
Somalia cannot afford prolonged diplomatic uncertainty during this critical period. The Senate should examine Mr. Kennington’s record thoroughly and give his nomination prompt consideration. If the Committee determines that his documented experience, professional judgment and commitment to accountable diplomacy satisfy the requirements of the office, his confirmation should proceed without unnecessary delay.
Somalia needs an American ambassador who understands that security cannot be separated from accountable government, that immigration enforcement cannot be separated from reliable identity systems, and that diplomatic cooperation cannot be sustained when corruption and institutional fraud destroy international confidence.
Mr. Kennington’s professional record indicates that he is equipped to confront these difficult responsibilities. I stand ready to assist the Senate by presenting evidence and firsthand institutional knowledge relevant to its examination of his nomination - and to work with him fully following his confirmation.
Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib
Member, Foreign Affairs Committee
House of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia
HOP No. 201 - Awdal Region and Gebileh District
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