Trump Nominates Career Diplomat Devin Kennington as US Ambassador to Somalia

The White House submitted a slate of 41 nominations to the Senate on September 14, 2026, including career diplomat Devin Kennington of California as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia, reported September 15. If confirmed, Kennington would be the first full US ambassador to Mogadishu since Richard H. Riley departed in December 2025 as part of a broader recall of roughly 30 Biden-appointed chiefs of mission across Africa. The US mission in Mogadishu has been led by Chargé d'Affaires Justin Davis since January 15, 2026, with Ruth Anne Stevens-Klitz serving as deputy chief of mission since August 2026. The nomination requires Senate Foreign Relations Committee review; the Trump administration's signaled plans to cut UN and African Union peacekeeping funding in Somalia are expected to shape confirmation discussions.