Waagacusub.com- The UK government has announced a new ambassador to Somalia to replace the outgoing envoy David Concar. Benjamin James Fender who until his appointment served as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office head of security Policy Department will replace Concar who assumed the position in 2016.

According to a statement from the Foreign Office, Fender who is expected to take up office in Mogadishu in February has variously served in diplomatic posts in Iran, Afghanistan and China among other stations.

Fender now becomes the 5th UK ambassador to Somalia since Her Majesty Government resumed diplomatic relations with Somalia in 2012. The UK was among the first western governments to re-establish diplomatic relations with Somalia in 2012 following the end of the Transitional Federal Government era.