US President Barack Obama on Monday praised recent advances by Somali and African Union troops against Shebab militants, but said it was important to keep up the pressure.

US President Barack Obama on Monday praised recent advances by Somali and African Union troops against Shebab militants, but said it was important to keep up the pressure.

Speaking in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Obama said the al Qaeda-affiliated militants offer nothing but "death and destruction".

"Ethiopia faces serious threats," Obama said. "We`ve got more work to do."