Fun things to do in Somalia

4 more images

The Independence Monument is actually just a little bit out from the centre of Hargeisa. It is a large hand holding a detailed map of Somaliland. At the base on the right hand side is the date – 18 May. Somaliland declared independence from war-torn Somalia on 18 May 1991 after finally chasing any remnants of the old Somalia Army out of its territory. Locals are very proud of their achievement and 18 May is a national holiday.

3 more images

The Central Mosque dominates the centre of Hargeisa. It’s a fairly new building and the pride and joy of the town. Having said that you need to be very careful about getting close to and/or taking pictures of it. Like their neighbours across the water, Yemen, they do get defensive about it. The friendly smiles you get all the time can evaporate in a few seconds. Make sure you are with someone who is a local if you do want to see closer. You will see a lot of visitors from the Middle East coming to pray here.

3 more images

Want to go to Somalia? SOMALILAND is the peaceful and Independent part of Somalia and an excellent place to go for a visit. Before you go you must have a visa PRIOR to arrival by airplane or on a land border. There are only 5 ‘Embassies’ for Somaliland in the world: USA, UK, Italy, Ethiopia and Djibouti. This tip is about my very easy and friendly experience with their office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Embassy in Addis Ababa has a few security concerns so they do not advertise their address or have any markings on their building. Do not worry! My Taxi driver knew the general directions off Bole Rd. and we stopped and asked the neighbours until we found it. It is in a very rich neighbourhood. They are open Monday – Friday 8:30am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-3:30pm. I arrived without contacting them beforehand, but I took my passport, 2 passport photos and $40. They finished it in about 10 minutes. That’s it. If you want better directions, just telephone their office ahead of time. They speak English.

If you live in a country that does not have a representative, either get it in Addis Ababa or contact the closest Embassy by telephone or email and arrange to do it by post. They even have the Visa Form you can download here:

SOMALILAND GOVERNMENT

All Passport holders need a visa and they seem to accept everyone without question.

Due to space limitations on VT I have listed their 5 Embassies on the tip below this one!

2 more images

Somaliland only has one currency note in circulation – the 500 Shilling note. You get about 6000 to the $(USA). So that’s 60 notes for $5! Just to show you how safe Somaliland is and the state of the currency, just look at the pictures of the Moneychanger’s tables. Notes are stacked up in their thousands! Out in the middle of the market. These guys will give you a better rate than the Airport or hotels. There is no need to carry more than $5 except on Fridays. Fridays are prayer days and they are harder to find. There are banks, but they just seem to do business bankings. Do not be afraid to carry loads and loads of these notes in your bag. No real crime and it does not actually add up to much. In the markets and shops you can safely hand over a handful of notes and they will count out the correct amount for you and hand any extra back. What a great place!

1 more image

SOMALILAND EMBASSIES ABROAD:
UNITED KINGDOM
Osman Ahmed Hassan
SOMALILAND MISSION
102 Cavel Street
London E1 2JA
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 0207 961 9098
Fax: +44 0207 247 6335
Mobile: 07960 287 130
Email: slrmission@btinternet.com

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
MR. YUSUF JAMA BURRALE
SOMALILAND REPRESENTATIVE
ADDIS ABABA
ETHIOPIA
TEL: 25111 635921 / 635922
FAX: 25111 627847
MOBILE: 251911826335

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DR. SA'AD SHIEK OSMAN NOOR
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
WASHINGTON
USA
Cell Phone: 703 224 3449
Voice Mail: 202 467 0602
Home Telephone: 703 820 1982
Email: snoor@sand.com

REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI
MR. MOHAMED RASHID HAJI YASSIN
SOMALILAND REPRESENTATIVE
DJIBOUTI
MOBILE: 253 851817

ITALY
MR. MUHIYADIN AHMED ABDI GABOSE
CORSO UNIONE SOVIETICA 475
TORIN
ITALY

2 more images

Abdirahman is the Head of a school that has 4818 students (1890 are girls), 22 teaching staff (12 are graduates) and runs a new location in Berbera with another 400 students. They teach several subjects, mainly English. English will help them in the future with internet commerce, tourism and international trade. They desperately need training materials, preferably from the USA.

Textbooks, cassette tapes and workbooks are all needed. I have listed the address below. Please send any worthwhile donation or email any school, university or charity you think can help. Because Somaliland is not recognised or have a Postal system, it often is overlooked. DHL will deliver and the school checks for packages several times a week.

YOU could help with the successful future of a new generation of African children trying to build a peaceful and prosperous future in a Democratic society.

GO FOR A VISIT!
If you plan to go to Hargeisa, please contact Abdirahman by email and or telephone. The students would really appreciate a visit! His email is:
gorod@hotmail.com
Telephone is 252 1 302 767

The mailing address is:

DHL Somaliland C/O Sunmail & Cargo

Mr. Abdirahman Ibrahim Jama
Waberi Institute
DHL Hargeisa
Somalia

4 more images

Whether you spell it Chat, Qat or Kat, it is very popular to chew in this region. Supposedly it is mildly narcotic. I find that it tastes like grass, but does settle your tummy and wakes you up like a couple of cups of coffee. Kat is small leaves from a tree and all across large markets you will find stalls selling this every day. The stalls all have numbers and or names and fiercely proclaim they have the best Kat in town. Behind the front of the stall is a large wooden container and they wrap the Kat in cloth sacks and or fresh hay. Water is applied to make sure you receive the freshest and most moist Kat.

Kat is also chewed on social occasions, but is slightly frowned upon here by older people. They believe, and not without good reason, that young people should be engaged in education and work during the day, not sitting around chewing.

Try a little bit, it is seen as a sign of respect for their culture if you have a little bit in your mouth.

3 more images

Mahamed found me rather than I finding him. I am really glad he did! Mahamed works with the Ministry of Youth and Sport and acted as my Tour Guide for several days in Hargeisa. He works primarily with Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Soccer. These sports do not require a lot of equipment and are very popular with the children here. Because Somaliland is not recognised, they do not get any support to fund proper facilities and really need your help! There is one very good basketball facility for boys, and one for girls. The city of Hargeisa has 700,000 people! I toured several basketball facilities where they did not even have a metal hoop to play and certainly no nets.

Football is played in the dust and they have very few soccer balls, uniforms or goals. Again, no nets either. They are also desperate for ANY coaching materials, in any format, in English. Any donations from new equipment to old soccer outfits in good condition would be well used and appreciated! I watched a team that had to trade shirts every time someone came onto the field because there were not enough tops to go around.

Mahamed is a friend of Mr. Abdirahman Ibrahim Jama and he can be contacted through Abdirahman. If you would like to meet Mahamed and see Hargeisa and/or sports sites, please contact him ahead of time.

ADDRESS FOR DONATIONS:

MINISTRY FOR YOUTH AND SPORT
MR. MAHAMED AHMED WARSAME
DHL Hargeisa
Jirdeh Aw Ali Building
26 June Avenue
Hargeisa
Somalia