Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Saad Ali Shire on Sunday responded to a recent travel warning issued by the United Kingdom’s FCO office.
“The recent travel warning issued by the UK’s FCO office is nothing new. Similar warnings have been issued in the past,” Shire told reporters in a press conference at his office.
“Somaliland doesn’t deserve such a warning. We shouldn’t be lumped with Somalia. Somaliland is a safe place for foreigners,” Shire said.
“Their warning doesn’t concern us, and never did. It is primarily for Somalia. We have discussed the warning with the British Government and hope to see a change soon,” Shire said.
Below is an excerpt from the FCO Office’s website:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland except for the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera to which the FCO advise against all but essential travel. Any British nationals in areas of Somalia to which the FCO advise against all travel should leave. Any British nationals in Hargeisa or Berbera who are not on essential travel should leave.
