Ambassador

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said U.S. Ambassador Brent Bozell III expressed regret for comments he made about a South African court’s ruling on the controversial “Kill the Boer” chant. DIRCO confirmed the South African government summoned Bozell III, who took over the ambassadorial post last month, after he publicly criticized a court decision that found the chant did not amount to hate speech. The summons was intended to register the government’s concern over the ambassador…

Israel accredits first North Western State of Somalia ambassador, deepening ties after recognition JERUSALEM — Israel has granted diplomatic accreditation to Dr. Mohamed Omar Haaji Mohamud, the first ambassador of North Western State of Somalia to Israel, formalizing a new phase in relations less than two months after Israel became the first country to recognize the self-declared republic. Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that the appointment follows the establishment of diplomatic relations on Dec. 26, 2025,…

Deni, Turkish envoy discuss security cooperation and political transition in Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State state President Said Abdullahi Deni met Thursday with Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, for talks centered on security cooperation, political stability and humanitarian pressures as the country navigates a tense electoral transition and persistent militant threats. The high-level meeting, attended by a delegation of senior Turkish Embassy officials, reviewed the general situation across Somalia…

Israel accredits first North Western State of Somalia ambassador, cementing new diplomatic ties TEL AVIV — Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday formally accredited North Western State of Somalia’s first ambassador to Israel, deepening a swiftly developing relationship less than two months after Israel recognized the self-declared republic’s independence. The ministry said Dr. Mohamed Omar Haaji Mohamud, widely known as Mohamed Hagi, has been received as a plenipotentiary ambassador in Tel Aviv. His appointment follows the…

MOGADISHU — European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro hosted a Ramadan iftar at the EU diplomatic compound in Mogadishu on Monday evening, using the gathering to urge Somali leaders to revive dialogue and forge consensus as political tensions mount over elections and constitutional change. The invitation-only event drew a broad cross-section of stakeholders: senior federal government officials, political leaders, diplomats, civil society representatives and members of the media. Organizers cast the iftar as a…

MOGADISHU — The European Union ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, renewed her call for inclusive dialogue and national consensus as she hosted an iftar reception this evening at the EU diplomatic compound in Mogadishu during the holy month of Ramadan. The Mogadishu iftar brought together senior officials of the Federal Government of Somalia, political leaders from across the spectrum, representatives of civil society and the media, and members of the international community. The gathering offered a rare, neutral…

Myanmar’s military government has ordered East Timor’s top representative to leave the country within a week, escalating a diplomatic rift after a rights group said Dili had opened a war-crimes case against the junta under universal jurisdiction. In a statement, the junta said East Timor’s reported appointment of a prosecutor to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity was a “great disappointment.” It said the charge d’affaires — currently East Timor’s most senior official posted in Myanmar — was summoned…

Former Irish ambassador to the United States Dan Mulhall has urged the Taoiseach to raise the case of Irish detainee Seamus Culleton directly with U.S. President Donald Trump on St. Patrick’s Day if Culleton has not been released by then, saying the episode underscores how “uncompromising” immigration enforcement has become. Mulhall told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he remains hopeful Culleton will be freed sooner, but said the length of his detention is “surprising” and that the Irish embassy is “doing all it can” on his behalf.…

Ruto nominates Frank Ole Kibelekenya as Kenya’s ambassador to Denmark, names deputies to Somalia, Russia and Tanzania President William Ruto has nominated Kosiom Frank Ole Kibelekenya to serve as Kenya’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark and named senior diplomats to postings in Somalia, Russia and Tanzania in a shake-up of the Foreign Service aimed at strengthening the country’s representation abroad. The changes, communicated through Presidential Notification of Action No. IV of 2026 and announced Friday, will go before…

UK MPs vote to release Peter Mandelson appointment files after Starmer hands security veto to Parliament watchdog British lawmakers have approved the release of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the United States, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer abandoned plans to let the Cabinet Secretary decide what should be withheld on national security or foreign relations grounds. Under pressure from Labour MPs led by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Starmer agreed that the…