A Ugandan soldier serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) stands in fornt of the flags of Somalia and the United Nations at the Mission's headquarters following the arrival of Augustine Mahiga, Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the United Nations Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS) at Mogadishu Airport 24 January. Mahiga and UNPOS have moved permanently to the Somali capital - the first time the UN has a full-time in-country presence in Somalia for 17 years - from neighbouring Kenya following significant security improvements within Mogadishu over the last 6 months. Upon his arrival Mahiga said: "Without the incredible efforts and sacrifice of the troops from Somalia and other African countries, we would not be here today," adding: "I sincerely hope that the arrival of the UN Political Office will mark the start of renewed hope for the future of Somalia, we have much to do and we are eager to get straight to work". AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.