limited power, is slowly exerting its authority across Somalia.

Somalia's foreign minister also told VOA that Kerry and Somali officials discussed reopening a U.S. embassy in Mogadishu.

Kerry indicated much the same in his remarks.

"In recognition of the progress made and the promise to come, I am pleased to announce that the United States will begin the process of establishing premises for a diplomatic mission in Mogadishu," he said. "We are upgrading our diplomatic representation."

Currently, U.S. diplomats dealing with Somalia operate out of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

As part of his regional tour, Kerry earlier this week visited Kenya to discuss counterterrorism efforts. The country is contributing troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission and it also hosts hundreds of thousands of Somalis at its refugee camps.

In a recent interview with VOASomali Service, President Mohamud called al-Shabab an "enemy that has no dignity." He commented shortly after the Somali-based militant group attacked Kenya's Garissa University College last month, killing 148 people.

After the Garissa attack, some Kenyan political leaders called for the repatriation of Somali refugees at the Dadaab complex in northeastern Kenya. They accused the refugees of playing a role in Kenya's insecurity.

US aid to African Union effort

The United States has provided training, equipment and drone strikes to the African Union-led effort that has ousted al-Shabab from major Somali cities.

In a Tuesday briefing, a senior State Department official said the Somali government still has work to do when it comes to taking control of its own security.

"Somali National Army – the 'national' is missing," the official said, noting the