Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs: Somalia Summary
![Somalia [shutterstock]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Somalia-e1555938707482-2508x1406.jpg)
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State Department Designates Two Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders as Terrorists
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Somalia Relations
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Somalia in 1960, following its constituent parts' independence from British and Italian administration, respectively. Although the U.S. never formally severed diplomatic relations with Somalia, the U.S. Embassy in Somalia was closed in 1991. With the adoption of a provisional constitution, the U.S. formally recognized the new Federal Government of Somalia on January 17, 2013. U.S. foreign policy objectives in Somalia are to promote political and economic stability, prevent the use of Somalia as a safe haven for international terrorism, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict, drought, flooding, and poor governance.
U.S. Assistance to Somalia
The U.S. has provided $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance in Somalia since 2006 to address the problems of drought, famine, and refugees. Since 2011, the U.S. has provided an additional $240 million in development assistance to support economic, political, and social sectors to achieve greater stability, establish a formal economy, obtain access to basic services, and attain representation through legitimate, credible governance. The U.S. works closely with other donor partners and international organizations to support social services and the development of an effective and representative security sector, including military, police, and justice sector, while supporting ongoing African Union peacekeeping efforts.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The U.S. has little trade or investment with Somalia. U.S. exports to Somalia include legumes, grain, baking-related goods, donated products, and machinery. U.S. imports from Somalia include precious stones and low-value shipments.
![Somalia Flag: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean; the five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the North East Province (Kenya) [CIA World Fact Book]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/so-lgflag.gif)