Islam Times - Britain reopens Somalia embassy after 22 years

Islam Times - Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague has opened a new embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, 22 years after its ambassador fled the African country following a civil war.

Britain’s previous embassy, closed in 1991, was in the port area. The new offices, however, are at Mogadishu International Airport, a more secure area in the country.

"It is a symbol of our confidence and belief in the future of Somalia," Hague claimed.

The new ambassador Matt Baugh and his senior staff will be based in Kenya, but will rotate through the new station for up to two weeks at a time, British media reports said.

In his visit to Somalia last year, Britain’s Foreign Secretary described the Horn-of-Africa as "the world's most failed state”.

Somalia, however, is a strategically important country, not only for its position on the Horn of Africa, but also for its recently confirmed energy reserves.

Somalia has not had an effective central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.