Doha, Qatar - Most would agree that being the prime minister of Somalia is a tough job. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has taken it on twice, first in 2009/2010 and then again from December last year.

Three months into the role, his biggest tasks are battling the dogged al-Shabab armed group and preparing the complex country for a transition to a new type of administration in 2016.

Somalia has recently made significant gains against the rebels, but they still pose a potent threat, both to the Somali state and to bordering, and watchful, neighbours such as Kenya and Ethiopia.