In an exclusive interview with the voice of America (VOA), the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley highlighted the ongoing diplomatic efforts and security challenges facing the East African nation, including the U.S. efforts to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the ongoing dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Somalia and Ethiopia have been in a dispute that was ignited at the beginning of this year when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding, or MoU, with the breakaway region of Somaliland, a deal Somalia sees as an infringement on its sovereignty.

Ambassador Richard Riley said that Washington is Somalia’s largest donor and security partner, providing tens of billions of dollars over the years in personnel, equipment and funding. “The United States, for example, just forgave over $1 million of Somali sovereign debt,” he said.
He added that the U.S. will extend full support to any mission whose objective is to make Somalia a peaceful place.
“We absolutely have always strongly supported the current ATMIS forces here. We are very grateful to the troop-contributing countries, who have provided very brave personnel for many years to assist the federal government to bring stability and security here, “Riley said. “We are looking forward to this transition so that it is a proper one, it is well organized and it
The ambassador During his interview with Voice of America also announced that the United States will not recognize a memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The US ambassador emphasized a diplomatic solution to the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia related to the agreement.
He announced that the United States will support Ethiopia and Somalia to resolve the diplomatic tension peacefully.
Turkey is a key Somali partner, has been trying to mediate the dispute between the neighboring countries, holding two rounds of talks in Ankara that ended without an agreement.