John Kerry Makes Surprise Visit to Somalia

[JI7]

Source: al jazeera

The United States will begin the process of re-establishing a diplomatic mission in Somalia after a more than 20-year break, John Kerry said Tuesday as he became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the Horn of Africa nation.

But as Kerry vowed to deepen America's partnership with a new cadre of Somali leaders, the fact that he never left the airport underscored just how dangerous and unstable Somalia remains after a quarter-century of civil war.

Before returning to Kenya, the top U.S. diplomat stayed a little more than three hours, meeting with Somalia's president and prime minister and several regional chiefs and civil society groups.

"More than 20 years ago, the United States was forced to pull back from your country," Kerry said, invoking the "Black Hawk Down" debacle when 18 servicemen died after Somali militiamen shot down two U.S. helicopters and a subsequent rescue mission failed. "Now we are returning."




Read more: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/5/5/kerry-makes-surprise-visit-to-somalia.html

[YvonneCa]

1. "Now we are returning."

[karynnj]

2. Yet another call to reconciliation and an inclusive government

-- that may be an Obama/Kerry theme. I liked the comment that if they succeeded, the next visit could be to the downtown of the capital.

Baby step by baby step, there is heavy lifting to make a more stable peaceful world. I have never - in my lifetime seen a Secretary of State more intent in leaving the world more peaceful - even if these steps are unheralded early steps that only set the ground work for broader agreements.

[YvonneCa]

3. Perfectly stated, karynnj. I am in awe..

...of what he is accomplishing, step by step, by persevering on the goal of a more peaceful united world.