Sharmake, a former prime minister of the African country, is the first Somali ambassador to the U.S. in more than two decades. Somalia closed its U.S. embassy after warlords ousted former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States.
“This is a historic moment for the future of a democratic Somalia and for the future of relations between our two countries,” U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison said in a statement. “Mr. Sharmarke is well prepared to continue building a free, peaceful Somalia.
“I look forward to working with His Excellency and I would like him to visit Minneapolis as soon as possible. Together, we can promote security, economic prosperity, and well-being for Somalis both here in the U.S. and in Somalia.”
Obama also accepted credential for ambassadors from Cabo Verde, Sri Lanka, Armenia and Guinea.
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