General Security Information
Terrorism/Security
There is a high threat to Western interests from terrorism in Somalia and there has been a recent upsurge in fighting in Mogadishu with many casualties. The incidents below highlight the threat posed by terrorism in Somalia and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks.

Westerners and those working for western organisations have been targeted in recent shootings. On 18 April 2005, a Somali aid worker working for a Swedish charity was shot fatally in Mogadishu. A second aid worker was also seriously injured in what appears to have been a planned attack. A British BBC producer was shot fatally in Mogadishu on 9 February 2005. Serious fighting involving heavy weapons occurred in Mogadishu between 18 and 22 February 2006. A US national working for UNICEF was kidnapped on 1 March 2006.

A number of Westerners have been killed and injured in attacks in Somaliland. The Somaliland authorities believe these were terrorist inspired. Two British nationals were shot dead in Sheikh in October 2003. In the same month an Italian aid worker was murdered in Boroma near the border with Ethiopia. On 19 March 2004, a Kenyan woman working for a German Government aid organisation was shot dead in an ambush on the Hargeisa-Berbera road. Her German colleague was injured in the attack. Several suspects have been detained for this attack and for the two earlier similar incidents. This latter attack resulted in the temporary withdrawal of international aid personnel.

In May 2004, a remote-controlled landmine was found planted in a remote airstrip in the south of Somalia. UN and European Commission flights to Somalia are consequently now much restricted.

The Somaliland authorities have established a Special Protection Unit (SPU) which accompanies all UN missions outside Hargeisa. NGOs and individuals can also apply for an SPU escort at a cost of US$4.00 per day (or US$7.00 per 24 hours). Westerners who decide to stay in or visit Somaliland should obtain details of the new system and ensure that, when travelling, they take adequate security precautions.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

PRACTICAL INFO

Basic Facts

Capital
Mogadishu

Language
Somali and Arabic are the official languages. English, Italian and Swahili are also spoken.

Ethnic Groups
The largest ethnic Somalian groups include Hawiye, Darod, Issaq, Dir and Digil-Mirifle. There are also Arabs, Bantu-speaking Africans (descendants of slaves) and an Italian minority.

Religion
Islam (Sunni), with a small Christian minority in Mogadishu.

Local Laws and Customs
Somalia is a Muslim country in which Islamic law; customs and dress are universally respected. You should respect them fully. Homosexuality is illegal. You may not seek to convert Muslims to other faiths.

Crime
There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by numerous bodies of armed militia throughout Somalia. As a result there is a significant level of armed robbery and there have been a number of incidents of kidnapping for ransom. A number of Westerners have been killed and injured in attacks in Somaliland. The Somaliland authorities believe these were terrorist inspired; however, the motives for the attacks have yet to be established. There are regular and sporadic outbreaks of inter-clan violence throughout the south of Somalia and especially in Mogadishu.

Attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Somalia's waters are frequent and continuing. Mariners should be vigilant. Attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Somalia's waters are frequent and continuing. It is currently advised for mariners to remain at least 150 nautical miles from the Somali coast when transiting between the equator and 08N (latitude) and 100 nautical miles from Somalia’s northern coastline in the Gulf of Aden. Extreme caution should be also exercised when transiting the horn of Africa. Mariners should maintain a high level of vigilance in and around Somali waters.

On 5 November 2005, while 70 nautical miles from the Somali Coast, a cruise ship was attacked by pirates. The pirates fired rocket propelled grenades against the ship but were successfully repelled in this case.

Key Expressions

I am a journalist: Waxaan Ahay Suxufi
Can you help me?: Ma i Caawin kartaa?
I need a doctor: Waxaan Rabaa Dhaqtar

Useful Information

Time Zone
GMT +3

Climate
Very dry, as much of the country is desert or desert scrubland. Some rain in the north when temperatures are lower. The east coast has lower temperatures than the north coast. Inland temperatures are higher but there is less humidity.

Telephone dialling code
(+) 252

Currency
Shilling. Credit cards are not accepted in Somalia and it is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card. You should take hard currency, normally US dollars.

Travel

Visa Requirements
Press Visa is required

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

Road Safety
Roads are poor, however the biggest threat comes from the presence of unexploded landmines throughout the country, including along roads and highways.

Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Health

There are basic hospital facilities in Hargeisa. Elsewhere medical facilities are extremely limited or non-existent. Ensure that you take out adequate medical insurance before arrival and carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling up country. Medical insurance should cover the cost of air ambulance evacuation out of Somalia in the event of serious accident or illness. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Diseases
Polio remains a major problem in Somalia. With cases occurring outside of the capital there remains the risk of continued spread of wild polio both in Somalia and to neighbouring countries.

Medical Supplies and facilities
There is a shortage of basic medical supplies in Somalia.

Landmines

Both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines are plentiful in Somalia, and can be openly bought from weapons markets, particularly at Barkat in Mogadishu.

The mine problem in Somalia is a result of various internal and regional conflicts over an almost 40-year period, with the first reported occurrence of mine-laying in 1964. Central and southern Somalia are heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO); Galguduud, Bakool, Bay, Hiran and Lower Jubba are the most affected regions.

Landmines have been used extensively in Somalia for decades in a variety of conflicts. Since the fall of Siyad Barre in 1991, many of the factions vying for power in Somalia have used antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, although many of the charges of ongoing use have been unclear and lack detail.

Throughout Somalia, competing factions and private individuals are believed to hold and use large stocks of antipersonnel mines. It is believed that the various warlords held at least 10,000 antipersonnel mines in Mogadishu alone.

In 2004, the use of landmines was reported in several regional conflicts. In Jilib and Barawe, militias from the Shiikhaal clan were reported to have planted mines after clashing with the rival Ayr group. In September 2004, landmines were reportedly used in clashes between the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM) and the Jubba Valley Alliance (JVA) in the Lower Jubba region near the town of Kismayo. Militia in the Bay and Bekol regions have used mines in road blocks set up to tax travelers.

Clashes with reported use of mines continued in various areas of Somalia in 2005. Landmines are still being used widely in south and central Somalia.

There have been reports of mine casualties in 2005, apparently due to new use of mines, particularly in the Galguduud region, where the Saad and Suleyman sub-clans have been fighting in the Adado and Hobyo areas.

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