John Kerry on momentous visit to Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 5, 2015 (Garowe Online)-United States secretary of State John Kerry has landed in war-torn Mogadishu sans flak jacket in a brief trip billed as  momentous and historic on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Analysts wielded upbeat view on the visit to Mogadishu by the second highest ranking US official after George Bush in 1993, saying it is likely to boost low-morale Somalia.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with Prime Minister Sharmarke, Federal states leaders and UN envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nickolas Kay showed up at Mogadishu’s heavily fortified airport to greet Kerry.

Despite the unannounced Somalia trip, major roads in Mogadishu are remaining quiet according to Garowe Online correspondents.

African Union forces put now-rebuilding Mogadishu under lockdown for fear of Al Shabaab attacks on ongoing high profile visit by Kerry.

After talks with Somalia leaders, US secretary of State will be jetting off to Djibouti where his country maintains key military base.

On Monday, Kerry told Kenyan leadership that stable Somalia will be tantamount to safer Kenya amid mounting Al Shabaab rampage.

US appears to be stepping up involvement in the strategic security partner in East Africa. President Barack Obama named long time diplomat Katherine S. Dhanani as the first US ambassador in over two decades in late February. 

GAROWE ONLINE