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Still Current at: 1 May 2004
Updated: 23 March 2004
Somalia
SUMMARY
We advise against all travel to Somalia including Somaliland.
A Kenyan woman working for a German Government aid organization was shot dead in Somaliland in an ambush on the Hargeisa-Berbera Road, on 19 March. No motive has been established for the attack. The European Commission and many international NGOs are pulling their expatriate staff out of Somaliland. The UN is evacuating all but a minimum of essential staff from Somaliland.
We advise British nationals currently in Somaliland to consider leaving. If they decide to stay, they should restrict their movements to Hargeisa, stay in doors, keep themselves informed of developments and take precautions, until the security situation becomes clearer.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Somalia.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Terrorism
There is a high general threat to Western, including British, targets from terrorism in Somalia, as there is in a number of countries in East Africa and the Horn. The bomb attacks in Riyadh, Casablanca and Istanbul show that the terrorist threat remains real.
We advise against all travel to Somalia, including all areas of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. A Kenyan woman working for a German Government aid organization was shot dead in an ambush on the Hargeisa-Berbera Road, on 19 March. A German colleague with her was injured in the attack for which the motive has not yet been established. The European Commission and many international NGOs are pulling their expatriate staff out of Somaliland. The UN is evacuating all but a minimum of essential staff from Somaliland. We advise British nationals currently in Somaliland to consider leaving. If they decide to stay, they should restrict their movements to Hargeisa, stay in doors, keep themselves informed of developments and take precautions, until the security situation becomes clearer.
Two British nationals were shot dead in Sheikh in Somaliland on 20 October 2003. The motive for the murders has not been determined. An Italian aid worker was murdered in Borama near the border with Ethiopia, on 5 October 2003.
In Kenya (Somalia’s southern neighbor), there was a car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa on 28 November 2002, in which at least fifteen people died, and an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane on the same day.
These incidents highlight the threat posed by terrorism in East Africa and the Horn of Africa and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks. You should be particularly vigilant in public places such as hotels, restaurants, markets and tourist sites (see: Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism).
We are looking into unsubstantiated reports that extremist elements are planning to kidnap Europeans and other expatriates employed by Non-Governmental Organizations in Somalia. We have no further information at the moment. Outbreaks of clan fighting remain frequent. Hostilities in Iraq have also led to some anti-Western sentiment.
Attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Somalia's waters are frequent and continuing. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.
HEALTH
Travelers should consult their GP about vaccinations and malaria prophylactics before traveling. There are basic hospital facilities in Hargeisa. Elsewhere medical facilities are extremely limited or non-existent. Visitors should ensure that they take out adequate medical insurance before arrival and carry a comprehensive medical pack when traveling up country.
For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: Department of Health, advice to travelers
GENERAL
Credit cards are not accepted in Somalia and it is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card. Visitors should ensure they have adequate supply of or travelers’ cheques.
Visitors should ensure that they take out adequate travel and medical insurance before arrival. Medical insurance should cover the cost of air ambulance evacuation out of Somalia in the event of serious accident or illness.
British nationals in Somalia are encouraged to register their presence with the British Embassy in Addis Ababa. This can be done by either contacting the Embassy director through Mr. Hassan Ahmed at the Africa Educational Trust (AET) office in Hargeisa; (tel: +252 213 4534; fax + 252 213 4501). Visitors to Southern Somalia should also register with the British High Commission in Nairobi.
There is no British representation in Somalia. Coverage of Somalia is provided by the British Embassy in Addis Ababa: britishembassy.addisabbaba@fco.gov and by the British High Commission in Nairobi http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/kenya .
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