Somalia

June 7, 2004

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind Americans of continued concerns about the security situation in Somalia and to clarify registration procedures. This supersedes the Travel Warning of June 2, 2004.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Somalia, including the self proclaimed “independent Republic of Somaliland”. Inter-clan and inter-factional fighting can flare up with little warning, and kidnapping, murder, and other threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners can occur unpredictably in many regions. There is no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia.

There have been attacks against foreigners in the self-declared "Republic of Somaliland" in northern Somalia. The Sanaag and Sool Regions in eastern Somaliland, bordering on Puntland (northeastern Somalia), are subject to insecurity due to potential inter-clan fighting. There were several fatal attacks against international relief workers, including Westerners, throughout Somalia and Somaliland in late 2003 and early 2004. In addition, serious fighting has occurred in the Mogadishu area, the Puntland region in northern Somalia, and the districts of Gedo and Bay (especially the vicinity of Baidoa) in the south. Territorial control in the Mogadishu area is divided among numerous groups; lines of control are unclear and frequently shift, making movement within this area extremely hazardous.

U.S. citizens are urged to use caution when sailing near the coast of Somalia. Merchant vessels, fishing boats and recreational craft alike risk seizure and their crews being held for ransom, especially in the waters near the Horn of Africa and the Kenyan border.

The U.S. Government cannot provide services to U.S. citizens in Somalia. U.S. citizens who plan to travel to Somalia despite this Travel Warning are urged to register and obtain updated information on travel and security from the U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries. Travelers to the self-declared “Republic of Somaliland” should register with the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, and travelers to Puntland or southern Somalia should register with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti is located at Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti City; telephone (253) 35-39-95. The after-hours telephone number is (253) 35-13-43. The mailing address is Ambassade Americaine, B.P. 185, Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti. The workweek in Djibouti is Sunday through Thursday. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; after-hours emergencies (254) (20) 363-6170. The mailing address is P.O. Box 606 Village Market,
00621 Nairobi, Kenya, or Unit 64100, APO AE 09831, USA.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Somalia, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the East Africa Public Announcement, which are located on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or 317-472-2328 from overseas.

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