Dahir Hassan presents credentials as Somalia’s non

Ottawa, Canada (HOL) — Somali Ambassador Dahir Hassan Abdi formally presented his letters of credence to Canada’s Governor General Louise Arbour at Rideau Hall on June 23, officially beginning his duties as Somalia’s non-resident ambassador to Canada.

Abdi will serve in the Canada role alongside his current post as Somalia’s ambassador to the United States.

Canada’s governor general received credentials from four new heads of mission during the ceremony, including the ambassadors of Somalia, Kuwait, Argentina and Benin.

“Canada values the many ways our peoples, institutions and communities work together, looking out for each other in a spirit of respect and collaboration,” Arbour said.

Somalia’s embassy said the accreditation is an important step forward in relations between Mogadishu and Ottawa.

The embassy said the new role would strengthen Somalia’s ability to engage Canada directly on shared priorities, including security cooperation, trade and outreach to Canada’s Somali diaspora, one of the largest Somali communities in the world.

Somalia said it looks forward to building on the diplomatic foundation in the coming months.

Letters of credence are official documents that accredit a diplomat as an ambassador or high commissioner to another country. New heads of mission must present them to Canada’s governor general before formally carrying out their duties.