Reporter's Notebook: Mogadishu

A Ugandan soldier stands guard at one of the entrances to the AMISOM base in Mogadishu, Somalia

The old Port of Mogadishu, Somalia seen from a Ugandan base at the former Uruba Hotel. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991.

Burundian troops take a break from the fighting to play basketball at the former Somali Military Academy. The training ground was taken by AMISOM forces during fighting in September

A local militia drives a gun-mounted 'technical' through the streets of Mogadishu. The Somali forces have allied clan-based militias to help restore stability to the capital but have little control over their actions.

A Mogadishu resident moves goods across the city. Mogadishu has seen a decrease in fighting since AMISOM forces repelled an offensive launched by insurgent group al-Shabab in September.

A Burundian soldier surveys the streets of Mogadishu. The city has been relatively quite since September after AMISOM forces repelled an attempt takeover by insurgent group al-Shabab.

The infamous Bakara Market seen from a Burundian position in Mogadishu. Al-Shabab launches most of its mortars from the heavily populated Bakara. AMISOM forces have moved closer to the neighborhood since September and hope to capture it with the arrival o