Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Somalia. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Somalia country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Somalia at Level 4, indicating travelers should not travel to the country due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

A strong familiarity with Somalia and/or extensive prior travel to the region does not reduce travel risk. Those considering travel to Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland, should obtain kidnap and recovery insurance, as well as medical evacuation insurance, prior to travel. Inter-clan, inter-factional, and criminal feuding can flare up with little/no warning.

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Mogadishu as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Violent crime such as kidnapping, bombings, indirect fire attacks, murder, assassinations, armed robbery, carjacking, and illegal roadblocks by armed individuals in uniforms occur throughout Somalia, including in Mogadishu and the self-declared autonomous region of Somaliland.

Some schools and other facilities acting as cultural rehabilitation centers (i.e. dhaqan celis, meaning “returning to Somali culture”) are operating in Somalia with inadequate or nonexistent licensing and oversight. Reports of minors and young adults held in these facilities against their will and undergoing physical abuse are common.

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Road conditions in Somalia differ significantly from those in the United States. Road conditions and road safety standards do not meet U.S. or EU standards. Traffic lights/signs are a rarity, and roads lack maintenance, causing poor conditions and making driving hazardous. Additionally, little street lighting exists; therefore, night driving can be dangerous. Vehicle accidents are common, as are accidents involving pedestrians and animals in the road. Traffic enforcement is minimal.

Illegal roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents, including the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and threats to U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals are common throughout Somalia. Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

There are few, if any, formal travel services or organizations that provide services in Somalia.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

The United States continues to be concerned about the risks to U.S. civil aviation operating in the territory and airspace of Somalia due to the hazards associated with terrorist and militant activity. As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Somalia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Additionally, as of December 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to prohibit U.S. civil aviation from flying below flight level (FL) 260 in the territory and airspace of Somalia. For additional background information regarding FAA flight prohibitions and advisories for U.S. civil aviation, consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

In 2016, an al-Shabaab operative using an IED targeted an airplane departing from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ). The mid-air detonation damaged the airplane and resulted in one fatality (the bomber) and two injuries. The airplane returned and landed safely at MGQ. Due to security concerns, U.S. embassy personnel in neighboring Djibouti may not take commercial flights originating in Somalia that stop in Djibouti as part of a multi-leg flight.

Maritime Conditions

After several years of quiet, pirates attacked several ships in 2017 and 2018. Although piracy incidents again tapered off in 2019, the capacity for nefarious actors to conduct piracy remains. Avoid sailing near the Somalia coastline, as previous attacks have occurred as far as 1,000 nautical miles off the coast. Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their crews held for ransom in the waters off the Horn of Africa, especially in the international waters near Somalia. Somali pirates tend to be heavily armed, with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades; the use of "mother ships" from which skiffs can be launched to attack vessels allows these pirates to extend the range of their operations hundreds of nautical miles offshore. If transit around the Horn of Africa is necessary, vessels should travel in convoys, maintain good communications contact, and follow Maritime Security Center – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) guidance. Consult the Maritime Administration’s Horn of Africa Piracy page for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and naval forces in the region.

Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Mogadishu as being a CRITICAL-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The terrorism situation in Somalia remains unstable and dangerous. Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia continue to attack Somali authorities, forces associated with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and non-military targets. Kidnapping, bombings, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry, use of indirect fire, and other violent incidents to foreign nationals can occur in any region of Somalia. Avoid places where large crowds gather and government officials frequent, including hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, and public buildings.

Portions of Somalia are under Federal Government of Somalia control with the military support of AMISOM. However, al-Shabaab, an al-Qa’ida affiliate, has demonstrated the capability to carry out attacks in government-controlled territory with particular emphasis on targeting hotels government officials frequent; government facilities; foreign delegation facilities and movements; and restaurants, coffee shops, and other commercial establishments frequented by government officials, foreign nationals, merchants, and the Somali diaspora. Al-Shabaab maintains strongholds in rural areas in the south, where it controls a large swathe of the Lower and Middle Juba and Lower Shabelle regions. Al-Shabaab is also responsible for numerous high-profile bombings and shootings in the northeast in Puntland State

Insurgents conducted high-profile attacks in 2018 and 2019, many of which targeted government officials and candidates. These attacks consisted of complex assaults, improvised explosive device (IED) detonations, vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) and suicide bombings. Insurgents targeted hotels where candidates stay and various Federal Government of Somalia facilities in Mogadishu and Mogadishu’s MGQ airport, which houses most international aid workers and diplomatic facilities.

Al-Shabaab-planned assassinations, suicide bombings, and indiscriminate armed attacks in civilian populated areas occur regularly in Somalia. Significant attacks in the past year include:

• December 28: A large VBIED detonated at a major road intersection in Mogadishu, killing over 80 people and injuring over 120. • December 10: A complex attack on the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu killed several people. • October 13: Nine mortar rounds struck the UN compound at MGQ Airport, injuring at least one. • September 30: A complex attack including multiple VBIEDs and a ground assault element targeted a military base at Baledogle. • January 18: A complex attack consisting of an ambush on an AMISOM convoy, followed by IEDs targeting the responding AMISOM force, killed dozens of people and injured many more. • January 1: Seven mortar rounds struck the UN compound at MGQ Airport, injuring three people.

VBIED attacks throughout Somalia continue to occur on an irregular basis, approximately once per week. Firefights throughout Somalia, including in Mogadishu, are frequent and often go unreported. Stray rounds present a significant hazard, including on the MGQ airport compound.

ISIS networks in Somalia aim to replace the Federal Government of Somalia with an Islamic state, implement a strict interpretation of Sharia, and replace al-Shabaab as the dominant armed opposition to federal authority. ISIS-Somalia directs operations, recruitment, and training from Puntland, conducting sporadic attacks against AMISOM and Somali Government personnel throughout the country. Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

While Somaliland has experienced a level of stability not present in other parts of Somalia, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Somalia, including the self- proclaimed “Independent Republic of Somaliland.” Travelers who visit Somaliland despite this warning should check conditions there before embarking on their journey. Terrorist attacks have occurred against international relief workers, including Westerners, throughout Somalia, including in Puntland and Somaliland. No area in Somalia is immune from violence; the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against foreign nationals at any time.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

There is a particular threat to foreigners in Somalia in locations where large crowds gather or where foreigners routinely spend time, including airports, government buildings, hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Mogadishu as being a CRITICAL-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience are not uncommon, and often become violent. In December 2018, three days of large-scale protests in Baidoa followed the arrest of a former al-Shabaab leader and presidential candidate of South West State, resulting in an unknown number of civilian casualties. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Fighting among clans and subclans, particularly over water and land resources, occurs particularly in the regions of Hiiraan, Galmudug, Lower and Middle Shabelle, and Sool.

Post-specific Concerns

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Water, health, and electricity systems are poor. Cellular phones are used extensively. SIM cards can be purchased locally and used with a compatible cell phone. The public telecom system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war. Private companies offer limited local fixed-line service, and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities.

Authorities restricted access to the internet, but there are no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications. Al-Shabaab prohibits access to the internet and forces telecommunication companies to shut data services in al-Shabaab-controlled areas. In 2018, the Education Ministry threatened to block access to social media websites following allegations of cheating during national exams. While there were no reports that the Ministry blocked the sites during the subsequent phase of testing, a high court ruled the action to be permissible.

Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

In recent years, Mogadishu has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate with security support from private militias. Formalized economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu and a few regional capitals. Within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services’ ability to operate in Western nations.

Economic Concerns

The Somali shilling is the unit of currency except in Somaliland, which uses the Somaliland shilling. Most Somali shillings in circulation are believed to be counterfeit. U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards and traveler's checks are generally not accepted. Do not use your credit card in Somalia, even in places where it is accepted. It is not possible to obtain currency advances against a credit card. There are an increasing number ATMs in Mogadishu. ATMs in Somalia disburse U.S. dollars. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Personal Identity Concerns

Same-sex sexual contact is punishable by imprisonment from three months to three years. Anti- discrimination provisions do not apply to LGBTI+ individuals. Society considers sexual orientation a taboo topic, and there is no known public discussion of this issue. Severe societal stigma typically prevents LGBTI+ individuals from making their sexual orientation known publicly. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

There are cases of forced marriage in Somalia. There are no laws against spousal violence, including rape. There are documented patterns of rape perpetrated with impunity, particularly of displaced women and members of minority clans. Authorities rarely use formal structures to address rape. Survivors suffer from subsequent discrimination based on the attribution of “impurity.” Domestic and sexual violence against women remain serious problems, despite the provisional federal constitution provision prohibiting any form of violence against women. Although the provisional federal constitution prohibits the circumcision of girls, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is almost universal throughout the country. Up to 98% of women and girls have reportedly undergone FGM/C, primarily between the ages of 5-14 years. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith- based travelers.

Access to transportation, lodging, and public buildings is limited. There are few sidewalks and no curb cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Drug-related Crime

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Somalia are severe; convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnapping remains a constant threat in Somalia – to include Somaliland and Puntland. Al-Shabaab continues to target foreigners; it has also claimed responsibility for other regional terrorist attacks, including a January 2019 attack on an office and hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya and a complex attack on a joint U.S./Kenyan military base in Manda Bay in January 2020, causing significant damage and three casualties. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Other Issues

Authorities may detain foreigners for questioning if they fail to present a passport.

Do not take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and key infrastructure such as airports and border controls. Authorities could detain or arrest you, fine you, and/or confiscate your equipment. Do not take photos of people without their permission. Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The emergency line in Somalia is 888. Broadly, the Somali Police Force (SPF) service is responsible for dealing with crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of Federal Government of Somalia, including any activities in violation of the draft constitution that may endanger constitutional order, public order, hooliganism, terrorism, trafficking in persons and transferring of drugs. Somali police forces are understaffed, ill-equipped, do not receive training commensurate with U.S. or EU standards, and struggle to provide consistent basic law enforcement services. Enforcement of criminal laws is haphazard to nonexistent. The consistency of enforcement and subsequent criminal penalties vary dramatically.

Local courts operate under a combination of Somali customary and Islamic law, some of which may be hostile towards foreigners. If authorities arrest or detain you, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy in Kenya immediately. The U.S. government’s ability to provide consular services is severely restricted due to ongoing security concerns. Authorities recognize dual U.S.-Somali citizens as Somali citizens, which impedes the ability of the United States to provide any consular assistance.

Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Medical Emergencies

Medical facilities in Somali cities are extremely limited, and nonexistent in rural areas. Medicines are in short supply, and many pharmacies stock ineffective or counterfeit medications. For medical emergencies in most parts of Somalia, the closest air ambulance company is located in Nairobi, Kenya, with an average flight time of two to four hours, depending on location. AMREF “Flying Doctors,” Wilson Airport, Langatta Road, P.O. 18617-00500, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254 (20) 699-2000; 699-2299; +254 733-639-088; +254 722- 314-239; +254 (0) 730 811 000; +254 (0) 709 962 000

Providers do not accept credit cards for medical care; cash (typically in U.S. dollars) is required. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance overseas.

Malaria is endemic. Use CDC-recommended mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, eucalyptus, or IR-3535. Sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. All travelers should begin malaria chemoprophylaxis prior to trave, even for short stays. Recommended chemoprophylaxis includes Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.

You may need a polio vaccine before your trip to Somalia. If you were vaccinated against polio as a child but have never had a polio booster dose as an adult, you should get the booster dose. If you did not receive complete vaccination as a child or do not know your vaccination status, get vaccinated. If you will be in Somalia for more than four weeks, the Government of Somalia may require you to show proof of polio vaccination when you exit the country. To meet this requirement, you should receive a polio vaccine between 4 weeks and 12 months before the date you leave Somalia.

Food-borne and water-borne illnesses are common. The following diseases are prevalent: Hepatitis A; Malaria; Polio; and Typhoid. The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Somalia.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

Mogadishu has an active Country Council. Contact OSAC’s Africa team for more information or to join.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

U.S. Embassy Mogadishu is located at Mogadishu International Airport. The U.S. Government is limited in its ability to provide services to U.S. citizens in Somalia. Regular Consular services are available at U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Djibouti.

Direct emergency requests originating in Somalia to the American Citizens Service office at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. Tel: +254 020 363 6541 and/or [email protected].

Somalia 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix • OSAC Travelers Toolkit • State Department Traveler’s Checklist • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)