Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed nearly 4,000 Somali expatriates in the state of Minnesota on Friday (January 18th), the BBC reported.

Mohamud encouraged Somalis in the diaspora to do their part to rebuild Somalia, either from their homes in the United States or by returning to their country.

Mohamud's speech, delivered mostly in Somali, was warmly received by his audience, although about 50 people protested outside the convention centre, disagreeing with the president on policy issues.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with an estimated 70,000 Somalis.

The United States formally recognised Mohamud's government on Thursday during his meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, resuming diplomatic relations between the two nations after two decades.