US Secretary of State makes unannounced visit to Somali

John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State has made an unannounced visit to the Somalian capital, Mogadishu.

This makes him  the first American Secretary of State to visit the city, which is recovering after years of conflict.

BBC reports that  Kerry is meeting Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a private meeting.

The US backs the Somali government in its fight against Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which still controls many rural parts of southern Somalia.

According to BBC analyst, Mary Harper the US plays a crucial if controversial role in Somalia, supporting the weak central government in its fight against al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab leaders have been killed in US drone strikes in the past.