New era as the US returns to Mogadishu

A street in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Washington has renewed "permanent diplomatic presence" in Somalia after 28-year closure. PHOTO | REUTERS

At the onset of the civil strife in the Somali capital Mogadishu in January 1991, the US compound was used as the main station to airlift all foreign diplomats to safety.

The large compound was called Sliligga (weird), because it was enclosed by a barbed wire and a concrete wall. Sliligga was easily the most protected foreign diplomatic mission in Mogadishu.