of major population centers. A determined international effort has put virtually all of Somali pirates out of business."

The U.S. envoy later met with regional leaders of Somalia's federal states and representatives of civil society groups.

'Progress has been made'

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, second from left, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, fourth from right, and regional Somali leaders at the airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, May 5, 2015.

"​Great progress has been made and you have all contributed to that progress," Kerry told the regional leaders.

Somalian Foreign Minister Abdisalam Hadliye Omer told VOA's Somali service the visit "shows the world that Somalia government is functioning and that Somalia has turned around and is open for business."

The top U.S. diplomat thanked regional countriesfor contributing troops to the AU Mission to Somalia, and applauded Somali leaders for working toward the country's "Vision 2016" goals, which include elections.

"The government is also working toward finalizing the constitution and holding democratic elections in 2016," Kerry said. "You, all of you, must have a voice in this process. Your leaders affirmed to me today that they are committed to making progress."

Kerry met separately with civil society members, including Somali peace activist Fartuun Adan, a 2013 international "Women of Courage" award recipient, as well as Ilwad Elman and Khadija Isse, a former and a current member of President Barack Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative.

The United States remains the No. 1 financial donor to the AU force as well as the Somali government, which, after years of