U.S. appoints Ruth Anne Stevens-Klitz as Deputy Chief of Mission to Somalia

Sunday August 16, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — The United States has appointed career diplomat Ruth Anne Stevens-Klitz as its new Deputy Chief of Mission to Somalia, with her assignment beginning in August 2026 in Mogadishu.

Stevens-Klitz is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service and has more than 25 years of diplomatic experience in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Before taking up her new post in Somalia, she served as counselor for public affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, where she worked on public diplomacy and engagement with local communities and institutions.

Throughout her career, Stevens-Klitz has focused on building partnerships with governments, international organizations, private-sector representatives and civil society groups, according to the United States governmnet.

Her work has included promoting dialogue with young people and emerging leaders, expanding economic and commercial opportunities, supporting media freedom and protecting cultural heritage.

Her previous diplomatic assignments included Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Germany, Israel and Armenia, as well as several positions at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Stevens-Klitz is from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

She speaks French, German, Russian and Arabic.

Her appointment comes as Washington continues to work closely with Somalia on security, governance and development issues, including efforts to strengthen Somali security institutions and counter militant groups.