The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a new travel warning for UK tourists planning to visit Somalia. The advisory comes ahead of the Somaliland Re-recognition Day, which takes place from Tuesday, May 12, into Wednesday, May 13, with celebrations peaking on May 18.
Increased Security Activity
The FCDO explained: "Somaliland may see an increase in large public gatherings, demonstrations and security activity during the annual 18 May celebrations. In urban areas, celebratory events may involve large crowds and the use of firearms, including celebratory gunfire. Take care in public places where people gather and follow advice of local authorities."
Travel Insurance and Advice
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO. The FCDO advises against all travel to Somalia, including the three eastern regions of Somaliland – Togdheer, Sanaag and Sool – and excluding the three western regions of Somaliland – Awdal, Maroodijeh and Sahil. This is due to the threat from terrorist groups and continuing violence. If you choose to remain in Somalia, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government.
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the three western regions of Somaliland – Awdal (including Boorama), Maroodijeh (including Hargeisa) and Sahil (including Berbera).
Recent Violence
There has recently been an increase in fighting between al-Shabaab and the Somali Government close to the capital Mogadishu. Support from FCDO is severely limited in Somalia, including Somaliland, with no support in person from staff at the British Embassy Mogadishu or the British Office Hargeisa.
Emergency Assistance
If you need urgent help from the UK government, for example if you have been arrested or you are concerned about forced marriage, contact the British High Commission Nairobi, Kenya if you are in Somalia, excluding Somaliland. You can also contact the British Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia if you are in Somaliland. If you are in the UK and are concerned about a British national in Somalia, including Somaliland, call FCDO on 020 7008 5000.
The government of Somalia and the authorities in Somaliland will consider any British national of Somali (including Somaliland) descent to be a dual national. FCDO can offer only limited consular support in these cases.
