The United Nations has opened a political office in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after a 17-year absence. The U.N. special representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, arrived at the Mogadishu airport on Tuesday where he was greeted by Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and other government and diplomatic officials. Mahiga expressed hope the opening of the U.N. political office would bring “renewed hope for the future of Somalia.” He said the new location will help the world body work more closely with Somalia's Transitional Federal Government.
