GAROWE -- The US State Department has issued a fresh travel warning for Americans going out on trip to Somalia as a result of looming threats of instability, Garowe Online reports.
| It is, of course, a tribute to Jahwn Kerry's leadership at Foggy Bottom that they don't miss stuff like this... |
| "What? We shouldn't go to Somalia? I wonder why not? Margaret, I guess we have to change our reservations to Atlantic City!" |
According to a statement from the state department, US diplomatic absence prompted the warning: "the U.S. government is not in a position to assist or effectively provide services to U.S. citizens in Somalia. Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia have demonstrated their intent to attack Somali authorities, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and other non-military target".
While noting the growing security threats to foreigners travelling to south-central regions, the US government recommended its citizens visiting Puntland and Somaliland to obtain medical evacuation insurance ahead of their take-off.
"U.S. citizens contemplating travel to Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland, are advised to obtain kidnap and recovery insurance, as well as medical evacuation insurance, prior to travel," the statement noted.
| What insurer issues 'kidnap insurance' so that you can go to Somalia? It's like issuing kidnap insurance to go to .. Yemen... |
The travel warning came days after the US director of national intelligence James clapper told that persistent political infighting, weak leadership from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, ill-equipped government institutions and pervasive technical shortfalls threatened the credibility and the effectiveness of Somalia federal government.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed the weak leadership claims from the US director of national intelligence James clapper in an interview with Financial Times.
"I don't know what sources he [Mr Clapper] used but I don't see any political infighting in Somalia today compared to the past. It is a subjective judgment based on his own [opinion]," said President Mohamud. |