A DAY after the US officially recognised Somalia's government for the first time in two decades, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Somalis living in Minnesota to help rebuild their war-torn homeland.
Mohamud spoke to about 4000 people at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Friday night.
He said US recognition was "the beginning of a new foundation."
Omar Jamal, first secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations, said the president asked the crowd to assist their nation - either by returning to Somalia or from their homes in Minnesota.
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the US.
On Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had joined the Somali president in Washington DC to announce the change in diplomatic relations.
After Friday's speech, Ilhan Omar said she felt there was a plan to rebuild her homeland.
"I felt like it was the first time in 20 years that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel," said Omar, 30.
Amira Adawe hopes the US government's recognition of Somalia will open the door to widespread international aid.
"I can't wait to go back home and help," she said.
Clinton cited the militant group al-Shabab's retreat from every major Somali city. The US has provided $US780 million ($A743.18 million) to African forces to help that battle.
Authorities say more than 20 young Somali men have left Minnesota since 2007 to join al-Shabab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda. A Minneapolis man was convicted in October of sending young men to Somalia to join the group.
Roda Rabi, who protested the president's visit, said many Somalis were unhappy with Mohamud's efforts since his election in September. Rabi said Mohamud has failed to follow the UN plan for Somalia's reconciliation.
Saeed Fahia, executive director of the Confederation of the Somali Community in Minnesota, said it's too early to judge the new president. Too much has happened in the past two decades to be solved in a matter of months, he said.
"It would be difficult for any human being to take on Somalia's problems," he said.
"After 23 years, Somalia is back in the world community.
"After all these years of fighting and drought ... we will be able to work toward rebuilding."
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