List of ambassadors of the United States to Djibouti
| Ambassador of the United States to Djibouti | |
|---|---|
| السفارة الأميركية فى جيبوتى | |
 Seal of the United States Department of State | |
 Jonathan Pratt since February 22, 2021 | |
| Nominator | The President of the United States |
| Appointer | The President with Senate advice and consent |
| Inaugural holder | Jerrold M. North as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary |
| Formation | September 26, 1980 |
| Website | U.S. Emabssy - Djibouti |
This is a list of Ambassadors from the United States to the Republic of Djibouti.
The area on the Horn of Africa on which Djibouti is situated had been under French control since 1885 as part of the protectorate of French Somaliland. The area was ruled by the Vichy (French) government from the fall of France in 1940 until December 1942, but Free French and the Allied forces recaptured Djibouti at the end of 1942. In 1957 the colony was given a large measure of self-government and became the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas. In a May 1977 referendum the populace chose independence from France. The Republic of Djibouti was established on June 27, 1977.
The United States immediately recognized the nation of Djibouti and moved to establish diplomatic relations. The embassy in Djibouti was established June 27, 1977, with Walter S. Clarke as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, Jerrold M. North, was appointed on September 26, 1980.
Ambassadors[]
U.S. diplomatic terms
Career FSO
After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time.
Political appointee
A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).
Appointed
The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as “commissioning”. It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office.
Presented credentials
The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador’s arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador’s letter, but this occurs only rarely.
Terminated mission
Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador’s commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.
Chargé d'affaires
The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country.
Ad interim
Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".
After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time.
Political appointee
A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).
Appointed
The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as “commissioning”. It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office.
Presented credentials
The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador’s arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador’s letter, but this occurs only rarely.
Terminated mission
Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador’s commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.
Chargé d'affaires
The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country.
Ad interim
Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".
| Name | Title | Appointed | Presented Credentials | Terminated Mission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerrold M. North – Career FSO | Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | September 26, 1980 | October 27, 1980 | August 27, 1982 | |
| Alvin P. Adams – Career FSO | April 28, 1983 | July 16, 1983 | August 20, 1985 | ||
| John Pierce Ferriter – Career FSO | August 1, 1985 | September 30, 1985 | August 27, 1987 | The post was vacant August 1987–September 1988. John E. McAteer served as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim during that period. | |
| Robert South Barrett IV – Career FSO | July 11, 1988 | September 5, 1988 | April 18, 1991 | ||
| Charles R. Baquet, III – Career FSO | March 25, 1991 | October 10, 1991 | December 9, 1993 | ||
| Martin L. Cheshes – Career FSO | November 22, 1993 | January 19, 1994 | July 30, 1996 | President Clinton’s nomination of of May 6, 1996, was withdrawn and he was not appointed. The post was vacant July 1996–January 1998. During that period the following officers served as Chargés d’Affaires ad interim: Joseph Philippe Gregoire (July–September 1996) and Terri Robl (September 1996–January 1998). | |
| Lange Schermerhorn – Career FSO | November 10, 1997 | January 26, 1998 | November 17, 2000 | ||
| Donald Y. Yamamoto – Career FSO | September 15, 2000 | December 9, 2000 | June 16, 2003 | ||
| Marguerita Dianne Ragsdale – Career FSO | December 12, 2003 | February 23, 2004 | July 6, 2006[1] | ||
| W. Stuart Symington – Career FSO | August 18, 2006 | September 18, 2006 | May 31, 2008 | ||
| James C. Swan | August 6, 2008 | November 10, 2008 | June 30, 2011 | ||
| Geeta Pasi | July 5, 2011 | September 12, 2011 | August 30, 2014 | ||
| Thomas P. Kelly III | August 18, 2014 | October 13, 2014 | January 15, 2017 | ||
| Larry André Jr. | November 20, 2017 | February 19, 2018 | January 20, 2021 | ||
| Jonathan Pratt | December 15, 2020 | February 22, 2021 | Incumbent |
See also[]
- Djibouti – United States relations
- Foreign relations of Djibouti
- Ambassadors of the United States
References[]
- United States Department of State: Background notes on Djibouti
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/. (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets)
This article incorporates - ^ "Marguerita Dianne Ragsdale Ambassador, Republic of Djibouti". State Department Archives. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
External links[]
Categories:
- Lists of ambassadors of the United States
- Ambassadors of the United States to Djibouti
- Djibouti-related lists
- Djibouti–United States relations