Life in Mogadishu

Life in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, Somalia
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With a slightly lopsided picture of Mickey Mouse smiling behind them, children play at a hotel in Mogadishu – a city trying to heal from more than two decades of civil war and anarchy in Somalia.

But reminders of the fragility of the gains are always present, casting long shadows onto Somalia as well as the neighbouring countries. In February, al Shabaab fighters bombed a hotel in Mogadishu, killing at least 25 people. In March, their assault on another hotel left 14 people dead. On April 2, the group claimed responsibility for an attack on a Kenyan university campus in which at least 147 people were killed.

. MOGADISHU, Somalia. Reuters/Feisal Omar

A boy plays with a kite in front of his home – another peaceful scene in the city where, just years ago, Islamist militants and African peacekeepers fought regular battles in the streets.

Street lamps now light up some of Mogadishu's battle-scarred roads and residents are enjoying shopping and nights out. But rebuilding a life that many in the world take for granted is a slow and often imperfect process.

. MOGADISHU, Somalia. Reuters/Feisal Omar

A couple wade into the sea at Mogadishu’s Lido beach, a scene that would have been unthinkable when the Islamist group al Shabaab was in charge.

Women were banned from swimming here until 2011, when African troops drove the militants out of the capital.

The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab has kept up guerrilla-style attacks, looking to overthrow the government and impose its strict version of Sharia, or Islamic law, on the country. Yet many who live here are determined to enjoy their new freedoms and not be deterred by the threats.

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A rusty truck drives through Mogadishu.
. MOGADISHU, Somalia. Reuters/Feisal Omar

A rusty truck drives through Mogadishu.

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