Sub Saharan Africa

Terrorism/Security

We advise against all travel to Somalia.  There is a high threat to Western, including British, interests from terrorism in Somalia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  There is ongoing serious violence between opposing factions.

The incidents below highlight the threat posed by terrorism in Somalia and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks.

On 17 September a double suicide attack on an African Union base in Mogadishu killed 21 people including peace-keepers from the African Union Mission for Somalia and their Deputy Force Commander.  At least 30 others were injured including a British National.

Serious fighting involving heavy weapons continues to occur in and around Mogadishu.  Unconfirmed numbers of civilians of all ages have been killed in the violence. The fighting has been particularly intense since early May.  On 18 June Security Minister, Omar Hashi, was killed in a suicide bomb attack at a hotel in Beledweyne, which claimed the live of more that 30 other officials and civilians.

On 29 October 2008 there were three explosions in Hargeisa (Somaliland).  The explosions occurred at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office, the Ethiopian Trade Office and the President’s Villa.  Deaths were reported at both the UNDP offices and the Ethiopian Embassy.  Exact numbers of injured and dead are not clear.

Also on 29 October 2008 there were two explosions in Bossaso (Puntland).  These explosions reportedly took place near security institutions.  Deaths were reported.  Exact numbers of injured and dead are not clear.

Westerners and those working for western organisations have been targeted.  Most  recently, two French personnel were kidnapped from a hotel in Mogadishu on 14 July.  One Briton and one Spaniard were kidnapped from Bosasso, on their way to the airport, on 26 November 2008.  A Somali national working for the BBC was murdered in the port city of Kismayo in June 2008.  One Briton and one Kenyan were kidnapped on the road between Saakow and Bu'aale in the southern region of Juba on 1 April 2008 and continue to be held.  On 28 January 2008 three aid workers, one French, one Kenyan and one Somali, were killed in the southern port town of Kismayo.  Somalis working for international organisations, including the UN, have been victims of targeted attacks during 2008..

A number of British nationals and Westerners have been killed and injured in attacks in Somaliland. The Somaliland authorities believe these were terrorist inspired.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by numerous bodies of armed militia throughout Somalia.  As a result there have been murders, armed robbery and a number of incidents of kidnapping.  There are regular and sporadic outbreaks of inter-clan violence throughout the south of Somalia and especially in Mogadishu.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

 

Somalia Country Profile

 

Local Travel

Sea Travel

Attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Somalia's waters are frequent and continuing.  On 23 October two British nationals were taken hostage approximately 60 nautical miles from the Seychelles' main island of Mahe. The Department for Transport currently advise mariners to remain at least 200 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.  However, pirates have been using motherships to attack shipping further than 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast (the Sirius Star at 450nm (800km) from the Kenyan coast on 15 November 2008).  Therefore, we advise mariners to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near Somali waters.

Shipping companies are encouraged to log on to the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) website at:  http://www.mschoa.org/ to obtain advice and guidance on passage planning round the Horn of Africa.  The web site aims to provide the shipping community with advice regarding pirate activity in the region, including details of typical pirate behaviour tactics and analysis of previous attacks, as well as an overview of the other counter-piracy and maritime organisations active in this area at present.

Mariners should also be familiar with the advice contained in Marine Guidance Note 298: Measures to Counter Piracy, Armed Robbery and other Acts of Violence against Merchant Shipping and the International Maritime Organization’s official circulars on piracy.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.