Following years of strict, Islamist rule, wracked by conflict, Mogadishu is experiencing a rebirth. Under al-Shabaab, scenes like this, of women celebrating out in the street would have been unthinkable just a few months before the image was captured in March 2012.
After two decades of conflict, the city has been ravaged by war. Shells and gunfire have gutted much of what was extravagant architecture and a lively city.
Following the drought of 2011, Mogadishu became host for thousands of internally displaced persons. Visible through the hole in this wall is one such camp, captured in May 2011.
African Union forces, allied with Somali government soldiers, have expelled Islamist militants al-Shabaab from the capital, providing a huge increase in security for the city's residents as well as international visitors.
Increased security has meant an increase of investment in the Mogadishu. This was the first long-distance international commercial airliner to land at the airport in two decades; as Turkish Airlines began a regular, scheduled service to the city.
A strong presence of security forces remain in the city, however, with regular insurgent attacks mounted by al-Shabaab.
During the past few years of conflict, an informal curfew existed across the city at 4pm. Daily life now continues into the night.
Battle-scarred stadiums, which have played host to every invading army over the past decade, now see life—and sport—trickle back into them.
Athletes such as Abdinasir Ibrahim, the informal Somali 5000m record-holder, are now no longer forced to take refuge in their homes. Here, he is pictured following a training session in Mogadishu's shelled-out Konis stadium.
Five hundred kilometres further down the Indian Ocean coast, the important trading city of Kismayo has also been liberated from al-Shabaab following four years of rule under the Islamists. It is the site of a major Somali shipping port, and a vital source of revenue for whoever controls the city.
The sea-front was once a hub of hotels, now destroyed by war. Redevelopment is slowly taking place, and fishermen are returning to the seas.
Fishermen can once again cast their nets in the rich waters of the Indian Ocean.
A local businessman has bought up a plot of land on the beach to the south of the capital, determined to one day construct a hotel resort on the white sands. Until then, he must visit with armed security.
Army checkpoints still criss-cross the city streets.
A lady sells watermelon in the streets of central Mogadishu as an African Union armoured personnel carrier passes.
Thousands of Somalis still live in makeshift camps for the internally displaced, squeezed in wherever there is space in the capital.
Life in the camps is difficult, with little shelter, security nor promise.
African Union forces provide vital support for many communities, opening up their hospital on a weekly basis to treat people.
Leevan Rhegey Adow (35) was hit in his side by a stray bullet, not far from the Madina hospital in Mogadishu in May 2011 when al-Shabaab still controlled swathes of the city. Since this image was taken, the security situation has largely prevented such injuries.
Residents of Mogadishu as well as visitors—many of them Somali diaspora—now flock to the Lido beach.
A Somali boy swims in the waters at Mogadishu's port, where tons of cargo arrive aboard large vessels.
Once deserted streets now flock with people.
Bullet holes remain as memories of the conflict.
Investment has blossomed, bringing in vast swathes of construction and a renewed hope for the city.
Troops securing the city no longer remain in bunkers.
Hope lies now with the Somali civilian government, which is mired by allegations of corruption and infighting.