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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is Mogadishu safe?

158 replies

ChamonixMountainBum · 13/03/2026 10:49

I know extremist group al-Shabaab are known for instigating bombings and the odd kidnapping and other armed militia are not shy of robbery and murder but I hear the beaches are really nice. I suffer anxiety but want to step outside of my comfort zone.

OP posts:
Nicelynicelyjohnson · 13/03/2026 16:41

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 13/03/2026 11:11

Why not start with a unicycle?
That can be quite challenging, but once you've mastered that introduce, say juggling or plate spinning, at the same time. You could even turn it into a lucrative career, now that The Crankies are no longer on television.

I feel like this idea didn't get the traction it deserved.

I mean, why not start with a unicycle?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/03/2026 16:40

I don’t laugh outloud at threads very much but this one has made me laugh!

FOJN · 13/03/2026 16:37

I know all about the activities of an extremist group in the area and what the beaches are like but my Google simply couldn't find any reliable information on whether it's safe to travel there. I'm suffering from anxiety but thought I'd ask some randoms on the internet to advise me.

I'm not really expected to believe this,am I?

Alconleigh · 13/03/2026 16:04

I’m only here for the people answering seriously. Always golden.

Genevieva · 13/03/2026 15:58

I worked in that part of the world over 20 years ago, before I had children. I was there with the support of my employer, including war zone insurance. So, while everything went smoothly and I never experienced any difficulties, I knew I had the best protection money could buy if I needed it. I wouldn’t go now.

MrThorpeHazell · 13/03/2026 15:55

Last time that Mogadishu was safe, was .... never.

It was dangerous in Queen Victoria's time and hasn't gotten any better since.

JuliettaCaeser · 13/03/2026 15:53

If you do that don’t wimp out and get a boat. Actually trek the Darien Gap. Your kids will love it. Memories that will last a lifetime (albeit a shortened one perhaps).

Doranottheexplorer · 13/03/2026 15:44

We thought about going there but now the DC are a bit older we've decided to trek the Darien Gap instead. Should be challenging.

Pedallleur · 13/03/2026 15:31

Pirates,warlords,machetes, automatic weapons. Beaches are nice tho by. You can relive Black Hawk Down possibly

Ovasaurus · 13/03/2026 15:18

Mogadishu is so last year, nothing outside the average comfort zone. We are splitting our hols between Chad and the Central African Republic this year.

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · 13/03/2026 15:12

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:39

Yeah, but is Croydon safe?

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That is the question.

Who cares about, 'do we have a soul' 'are we alone in the universe' 'did man ever walk on the moon' 'are the royal family lizard people'...the real question is; is Croydon safe?🤔Only once we have answered that, can we answer 'is Mogadishu safe?'

JuliettaCaeser · 13/03/2026 15:09

We went to Nairobi for a wedding. Never again. We found that scary enough. Days of intrepid travel are over. I would be fine if I wasn’t allowed to leave Europe.

Cabdiraxman · 13/03/2026 15:05

I was in Mogadishu last year. It was safe. It has developed a lot since 2010's. There are new modern buildings and investment properties there. When I was there, there were plenty of tourists from Asia and Europe. I met returning migrants from UK there and people do speak English. There are decent hotels and short-term lets there. There is a holiday resort by the beach. It's fairly stable there.

bringthewashingin · 13/03/2026 14:58

I’m here now OP…we never holiday anywhere else!

Beach Relax GIF
AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:51

Octavia64 · 13/03/2026 14:45

Christ no. Have you seen the guidance the foreign office have just issued on it?
not without a native guide and you should probably pick one that has a shotgun and isn’t afraid to use it in case anything charges at you.

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Crumbs. How scary! When you say "charges at you", do you mean, like, rhinos? Maybe Mogadishu or even Paris, would be a better bet.

I do remember the wind whistling round the Whitgift Centre at night... A frightening place!

HelpMeGetThrough · 13/03/2026 14:51

I’ve heard it’s not too busy in Dubai at the moment, could be a peaceful weekend away.

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:49

travailtotravel · 13/03/2026 12:18

If you have family in Somalia and are visiting, it's a perfectly reasonable question. I think you'd be better of asking - if this is a serious question - in a more specialist forum than this.

I have regularly visited places that are on the "no go" list, which have actually been perfectly safe, but not without some risk. You need extra insurance to cover you in these areas, as medical evacuation and treatment can be expensive. But it just depends on your preferred level of risk if you would go or not. I have, and will, but with good insurance (which is £££, obviously). But I might not go to Somalia with the issues in the Middle East right now.

Yeah, MN, we need a "Should I travel in war zones" forum.

Octavia64 · 13/03/2026 14:45

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:39

Yeah, but is Croydon safe?

Show quote history

Christ no. Have you seen the guidance the foreign office have just issued on it?
not without a native guide and you should probably pick one that has a shotgun and isn’t afraid to use it in case anything charges at you.

GoogolB · 13/03/2026 14:44

So long as you post 4 times a day on Instagram, you’ll be fine.

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:42

Lemondrizzle4A · 13/03/2026 13:51

Go if you must but do not expect the UK government to bail you out if you have problems.
Why do people go against FCO advice and then expect help. That applies to the couple from Sussex absolutely ridiculous.

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The Duke and Duchess?

likelysuspect · 13/03/2026 14:42

DappledThings · 13/03/2026 14:15

Raises the question of how one determines the difference between trolling and attempted satire. I'd put this one in the latter camp which makes the not a genuine user report inaccurate.

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Exactly I love these sorts of threads and hate it when they get deleted

I also hate the fact that people have to explain the irony, satire, hyperbole. Ruins the joke

Octavia64 · 13/03/2026 14:42

JuliettaCaeser · 13/03/2026 13:17

I’m gutted I didn’t make it to Russia. Kept nearly going then didn’t. Wouldn’t risk it now a friends relative was put in prison there on trumped up charges and I know my luck. DH is quite Mr Darcy like and would probably get me out but wouldn’t want to chance it.

I went to st Petersburg years and years ago and it was amazing. We were a bit too worried to do Moscow on the same trip and now I would dearly love to go but not safe unfortunately.

still on my bucket list (along with Tehran actually) but very unlikely to go now

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:39

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · 13/03/2026 14:10

The beaches are absolutely stunning there, particularly if barbed wire is your thing.

If you want to get out of your comfort zone, try Croydon on a Friday night.

Yeah, but is Croydon safe?

AgentPidge · 13/03/2026 14:37

Thelnebriati · 13/03/2026 11:27

This. Factor 2,000,000 will protect you from most bombs, given enough distance and the grease will make you harder to kidnap.

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And your sunhat! One of those pith helmet types might be useful.

notimagain · 13/03/2026 14:36

Dunno about the beaches but watch out for the.local airlines..

https://www.reuters.com/world/passenger-describes-panic-board-plane-that-crash-landed-somalia-2026-02-11/

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