Genvisec advise against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland except for the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera to which the we advise against all but essential travel with security advice.

 

There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping, throughout Somalia, including Somaliland. Terrorist groups have made threats against westerners and those working for western organisations. There is a constant threat of terrorist attack in Mogadishu. Terrorists continue to plan attacks against westerners in Somaliland.

 

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in crowded places, high-profile events, events involving government officials and in places frequented by foreigners. 

 

Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. There is also a high threat of maritime terrorism in the territorial and international waters off Somalia. 

 

All areas across Somalia are suffering food shortages resulting in the displacement of thousands of Somali people. 

 

Your embassy is unable to provide consular assistance to you in Somalia.

 

Crime

 

There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by armed militia throughout Somalia. There have been murders, armed robbery and a number of incidents of kidnapping. There are regular outbreaks of inter-clan violence throughout Somalia.

 

Local travel

 

Food Security has improved during the first quarter of 2013 due to favourable rains and sustained humanitarian response. However, displaced people living in settlements and other vulnerable groups will remain ‘food insecure’.

 

The displacement and overpopulated refugee camps may lead to a significant increase in disease, increased risk of crime over food security and a heightened security threat to foreigners.

 

There is tension on the Somaliland/Puntland border in the Sool and Sanaag regions.

 

Sea travel

 

Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. There is also a high threat of maritime terrorism in the territorial waters and international waters off Somalia. There have been acts of maritime terrorism in the seas off Somalia and Yemen. Genvisec advises against all travel by yacht and leisure craft in the territorial waters of Somalia and on the high seas (more than 12 nautical miles from shore) in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean bounded by the following latitude and longitude: 15°N in the Red Sea, 23°N in the Arabian Sea, 78°E and 10°S in the Indian Ocean.

 

Local laws and customs

The Federal Government of Somalia has adopted Shari’a law but is yet to implement it throughout the country. Al-Shabaab and other insurgent groups often have an extreme view on the implementation of Shari’a law.

 

Terrorism

There is a high threat to western interests from terrorism in Somalia, including Somaliland. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in crowded places, high-profile events, events involving government officials and in places frequented by foreigners.

 

Al Shabaab, a proscribed terrorist group, and other groups opposed to the Somali government continue to carry out attacks in and around Mogadishu. Terrorist groups operating in Somalia have made threats against westerners and those working for western organisations in Somalia, including Somaliland. There is ongoing serious violence between opposing factions.

 

Attacks in Somalia have previously targeted government officials and institutions, hotels, restaurants and public transport including the international airport. Further attacks could occur at any time. Civilians of all ages have been killed in fighting, which often involves heavy weapons.

 

Methods of attack have included armed assaults, suicide bombings, car bombings, explosions, gun attacks, mortar attacks, improvised explosive devices and the bombing of a commercial aircraft. 

 

Incidents in 2016 have included: 

• 2 February 2016: an explosion on a Daallo airbus flight from Mogadishu to Djibouti. Somalia authorities have confirmed that this was caused by an explosive device inside the aircraft. One person was killed. 

• a car bomb on 22 January, which exploded at a restaurant at the popular Lido beach in Mogadishu. Gunmen fired inside the building, killing over 20 people.

• 15 January: Al Shabaab attack on African Union based in the southern Somali town of el-Adde killing more than 60 Kenyan soldiers. 

 

There have been no major terrorist attacks in Somaliland since 2008.

 

Kidnaps

 

There is a threat of kidnapping in Somalia, including Somaliland. Kidnapping can be for financial or political gain and can be motivated by criminality or terrorism. A number of western nationals have been kidnapped in Somalia. 

 

Money

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. 

 

Health

There are basic hospital facilities in Hargeisa. Elsewhere medical facilities are extremely limited or non-existent. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, evacuation by air ambulance and repatriation.

 

There have been confirmed cases of Acute Watery Diarrheal Syndrome in the Lower Shebelle Region of Somalia and Cholera in Banaadir Region.

 

The World Health Organisation has issued temporary recommendations about polio vaccination. 

 

Entry requirements

Visas

 

You can get a visa on arrival. If you arrive at Mogadishu International Airport, you can get a single entry visa, valid for one month, for US$50 in cash.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency travel documents are valid for entry and exit to/from Somalia.