President Barack Obama nominated a diplomat Tuesday to serve as the first U.S. ambassador to Somalia since 1991.

The Senate must approve Katherine Dhanani for the post.  If confirmed, she would lead the U.S. Mission to Somalia, which is located in neighboring Kenya.

“As security conditions permit, we look forward to increasing our diplomatic presence in Somalia and eventually reopening the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Psaki called the nomination “historic” and said it shows the “deepening relationship” between the U.S. and Somalia.

The U.S. closed its embassy as Somalia descended into decades of violence and chaos. But security conditions have vastly improved, and a new internationally recognized government has been operating for several years despite ongoing militant attacks in the capital and elsewhere.
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