António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, has arrived in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.
There is little information about the reason for his visit.
According to local media, he is widely expected to address Somalia’s deteriorating humanitarian situation and express solidarity with its people in their fight against extremism.
According to the UN, approximately eight million people require humanitarian assistance, with a “significant segment” of that population on the verge of famine following five consecutive failed rainy seasons.
On the issue of the Islamist insurgency, the Somali government has gained ground in its fight against al-Shabab, primarily in central Somalia.
According to the Crisis Group, the majority of the progress is due to local dissatisfaction with the group, which has resulted in the formation of clan militias that have since formed alliances to push back on al-Shabab.
Mr. Guterres will meet with Somali national leaders, and a press conference is planned from Villa Somalia.
