Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

•  We advise against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland.  In the Southern and Central regions, there is ongoing serious violence, dangerous levels of criminal activity and general internal insecurity.  We advise any British citizens in Somalia to leave.
  

• Piracy remains a major problem on the seas off Somalia even as far as international waters and to the territorial waters of Yemen.  On 23 October, two British nationals were taken hostage while sailing approximately 60 nautical miles from the Seychelles' main island of Mahe.
  

• Insurgent activity and political tension remain high.  There has been particularly intense fighting in and around Mogadishu since early May 2009.  On 17 September there was a double suicide attack on an African Union base in Mogadishu, killing 21 and injuring at least 30 others.  An earlier suicide bomb attack in Beledweyne on 18 June killed the Somali Security Minister and more than 30 officials and civilians.  The Somali President declared a state of emergency on 22 June. 
  

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6.  The WHO website at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details.  Check the Swine Flu page of the FCO website for further information
  

• Although the situation in the Somaliland region is calmer, there is still a significant threat to British interests.  On 29 October 2008 there were three explosions in Hargeisa (Somaliland) and two explosions in Bossaso (Puntland).  Fatalities were reported in both Hargeisa and Bossaso.  See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.
  

• There is no British representation in any part of Somalia.  Somaliland is covered by the British Embassy in Addis Ababa whilst other parts of Somalia are covered by the British High Commission in Nairobi.  We are unable to provide consular assistance in Somalia and if the situation deteriorates we will not be able to assist you.  See the General section of this advice for more details.
  

• If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to, or remain in, Somalia you do so at your own risk. Westerners and those working for western organisations have been targeted in the past and this threat is ongoing.  Most recently two French nationals were kidnapped from a hotel in Mogadishu on 14 July 2009.  On 26 November 2008 one Briton and one Spaniard were kidnapped from Bosasso.  One Briton and one Kenyan were kidnapped in the southern region of Juba on 1 April 2008.  See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.
  

• Piracy remains a major problem on the seas off Somalia even as far as international waters and to the territorial waters of Yemen.  See the Sea Travel section of this travel advice for further details.
  

• There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Somalia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers and places where expatriates operate.  See the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice for more details of other incidents.
  

• Should you decide to travel to Somalia against this advice, we recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.