New Somali government looks to revive oil search

Nine months of improved security has engendered a cautious sense of optimism, but oil and gas exploration plans face major obstacles, writes William Macpherson. Somalia’s fortunes seem to have improved since the election last year of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a former activist and political outsider. Islamic militants of Al Shabaab, who have controlled large swathes of the country for several years, have suffered a series of military setbacks.