Is Mogadishu safe?

[ChamonixMountainBum]

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.

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.

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).

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

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

I mean, why not start with a unicycle?

You hardly get any traction with a unicycle, especially in slippery conditions.

or ständing on a box holding 8 cabbages, a board game, a cuddly toy and a pacman console while the crankies unicycle around you?

Which is precisely why the dry climate makes it ideal transport for Mogadishu. No slippery conditions there, unless you’re wearing Factor 2,000,000 to escape the tourist snatchers.

I've checked Trip Advisor and there are some restaurants with rave reviews, but I think they might be written by the chef's DM. No Michelin* though.

Right on cue

Exactly. Are we really supposed to believe there’s such a place as “Mogadishu”?

I think it began as an insult to Eton-educated Tory MPs in the last government: "Mogg, I diss you." The term was bastardised and spread out to East Africa as part of Boris's fantasy on resurrecting the British Empire, run by old Etonians.

Is anyone else reminded of the excellent auto correct that caught one Mumsnetter out when she was writing about Jacob Rees Mogg and it autocorrected to Jacob Rees Mogadishu?

Then a quick thinking Mumsnetter named changed to JacobReesMogadishu so the fun continued.

Just checked on travel advisory, this just in….

”Do not travel to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, piracy, and lack of availability of routine consular services.”

Sounds like an ideal weekend getaway.

Wait until you hear that Timbuktu is also a real place.

I might start a thread, Timbuktu or Mogadishu, where to go at Easter.

Sounds like Luton.

Somali pirates are the best in the world I've heard.

The Foreign Office advice for travel to Somalia also gives a special link for women travellers. How kind.

Do they celebrate Talk like a Pirate day?

Sorry to hijack (no pun intended) the thread but I'm in the same boat OP. I'm autistic and was considering spending a week on a busy construction site whilst wearing a jumpsuit made out of clothing labels and raised seams. I've heard the catering van there do good vegan hot dogs.

No you’re thinking of Darrr Es Salaam, which also makes for a great weekend break.

We'll never get to the Mogadishu question because the Croydon question will never be satisfactorily answered.

You are a genius! You win best comment. Your prize is a weekend in Mogadishu!