Interesting places in Hargeisa:

Hargeisa International Airport		June 26Th District
Ahmed Dhagah District		New Hargeisa District
Ibrahin Kodbur District		Alamadaha District

Hargeisa (Somali: Hargeysa, Arabic: h+r+g+y+s+a+) is a city in northwestern Somalia and the second largest city in Somalia. It is also the capital of the Republic of Somaliland which was formed in 1991. It was also the colonial capital of British Somaliland from 1941 to 1960 when it united with the south to form the Somali Republic.

Location is derived from the great work of WikiMapia

Top photos chosen by u all:

_DSC0808
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Old Soviet military base in Berbera. In the old times of Cold War Somalia was supplied with guns and specialist help by Soviet Union, exactly the same way as USA was making his favourites in the region armed and dangerous. But hey, Somalia never was a country in real sense of this word, there were always clans to support, so USA just chose different clans here, stronger, from the south, including one of Mohammed Siad Barre, the bad guy from Black Hawk Down. To make the story short, exactly the same guns which trashed American boys on the intervention in Mogadishu depicted in the movie were provided not so long ago by American regime. But before that they helped Siad Barre to destroy north of the country,(which is now separated as Somaliland), flattening Hargeisa , the capital ( almost nothing was left, thousands died,) and Berbera , as well as bombing wandering nomads with spare bombs he had lots of. The Soviets abandoned huge base and we see remains of it in the back. So now country is slowly getting up, although remains of past are everywhere to be seen. But why you never heard of it? It is reasonably stable, getting better, just had democratic elections, they have low taxes, cheap and fast internet everywhere, smart and efficient people. But you only hear about bad guys from the south. One of the reasons is this - West likes to appease Egypt - he's got islamists and what is more, if its worth to be tough on something, it is the Israeli matter, not some skinny Muslims from Africa. And Egypt hates Somaliland, so works agains it in Arab League to make it isolated, and Egypt DOES have something to say in the League. You remember that Egypt depends on water from the Nile for survival and that some sources are in Ethiopia? Well, so Egyptians are interested in keeping Ethiopia busy with wars instead of putting money in developing agriculture and industry which would consume more and more water. To have wars you need bad aggressive neighbours and crazy Somalia was always one of them, always in some border conflicts, sometimes serious war. Now Somaliland, which is closest to Ethiopia, separated and created own , peaceful country, and has good relations with Ethiopia. This is something Egypt doesnt like, almost as much as the bad guys from the south, sending radical islamists over the border to destabilize country. But that is just another story. More on www.nygus.info


Somaliland Presidential elections - front page news in NRC
Made by CharlesFred
The NRC chose to put the story of the peaceful and democratic and free Presidential elections in Somaliland on its front page, with an article further in the middle of the paper. Agian it made the usual point that Somaliland is a free, peaceful and democratic country with a moderate form of Islam, but lacks recognition as an independent country. Many European countries would like to reciognise Somaliland';s independence but they feel that it is first up to the African states, through the African Union to do this - and these African states show no willingness to do so, fearing a domino effect, maybe affecting their countries (never mind the historical argument that Somaliland WAS an independent country before it rashly joined a union with its neighbour in the south. In the meantime, the BBC found the most ridiculous angle on which to report this momentous event (the BBC's correspondent having a major antipathy towards Somaliland) by finding some idiot from the radical al-Shabab movement in Somalia to say that democratic elections were the work of the devil, were un-Islamic and should be boycot by the people of Somaliland. What a load of nonsense. On the other hand, this is a gerat article (a bit shallow) but beautifully illustrated - from the New York Times - www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/world/africa/26somaliland.html There is a pretty good TV article by al-Jazeera on the elections here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l4Y-oggBnc - makes me want to go back!


_DSC1034 [ globtrotrer]
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
The exchange rate is 6300 Somali schilillings for one USD, the highest note is 500 sch. So this is why you have men like this, sitting on street corners and changing that bit of cash you need. More on www.nygus.info Published in Globtroter, Polish adventure travel magazine Kurs wymiany walut to około 6300 somalijskich szylingów za dolara. Najwyższy banknot ma nominał 500 szylingów. Dlatego też na rogach centralnych ulic siedzą mężczyźni przy stertach pieniędzy, a transfer ze sklepów do takich ulicznych kantorów odbywa się w taczce.


Somaliland's 50th anniversary today!
Made by CharlesFred
26th June 1960 was the day on which Somaliland came into existence and was recognised by 34 different countries. The country had been a British Protectorate since the end of the 19th century but achieved indepndence in 1960. Its first Prime Minister, depicted here, was Mohammed Ibrahim Egal, was leader of the Somali National League which had won the legislative elections earlier in 1960. What better way to celebrate your 50th birthday by having free and fair elections? Good luck Somaliland, keep striving for that international recognition you deserve!


20 years
Made by rstecher
May 18 2011, huge celebrations are held in Hargeisa, Somaliland capital, to mark the unilateral declaration of independance of Somaliland from southern Somalia. Despite the efforts of the Somalilanders and the relative peace and security of the country, the international community still refuses to recognize this breakaway region.


_DSC0997 [globtroter]
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
He was proud about door of his mosque - he just painted it recently, as everything is Hargeisa , what is not in ruins is really new - this is fast changing country, lots of energy, optimism around, low taxes, weak government, totally unlike Africa. More on www.nygus.info


Somalia's newest citizen
Made by Carl Montgomery
With no functional government to issue passports, the only way to obtain one is on the street. Normally the money changes provide the service. Yes that's me, I'm now a Somali Citizen. (see .) www.carlmontgomery.com


On Somaliland National Television
Made by CharlesFred
Here is a part of the interview we made for Somaliland National TV when we were in Hargeisa - it was videoed off the small TV we had installed in my room at the Ambassador Hotel and it was on the roof of that hotel where we were interviewed as the sun came down.


Happy 17th Birthday, Somaliland - The Freedom Monument
Made by CharlesFred
Somaliland declared independence on 18th May 1991. Still searching for international recoognition. Kosova realised it this year, let's hope it is Somaliland's turn in the near future. And best of luck with the elections later this year.


_DSC0685
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Police roadblock in Africa usually means vendors and shops growing around it, here there is not many things to sell however. Somaliland, way from the border to Hargeysa. / www.nygus.info


IMG_6824 Imported from Asia
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Goods imported from Bangladesh. Somaliland is developing fast for regional standards, and services and goods available in bigger towns exceed those of neighbouring countries, even so large as Ethiopia.


IMG_3684 A girl behind the counter
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Small cafeteria in Hargeisa. Somaliland is developing fast for regional standards, and services and goods available in bigger towns exceed those of neighbouring countries, even so large as Ethiopia.


_DSC1045
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Street in centre of Hargeysa, capital of Somaliland. Very popular are medical shops, from dentists, X-Ray to various farmacies. More on www.nygus.info


My Dad's pet cheetah
Made by CharlesFred
The video can be seen on: www.youtube.com/user/bluebacchus#play/all/uploads-all/1/_...


World Cup 2010 or 2014?
Made by CharlesFred
I can't believe that this was four-and-a-half years ago and here we are at the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa! This is from my birthplace in Hargeisa, Somaliland.


Kulmiye colours
Made by CharlesFred
Kulmiye is one of the three political parties in Somaliland and the leader, Mr Silanyo is expected to win the Presidential election being held today on 26th June 2010.


Wohoo! Visitors!
Made by tristam sparks
every few minutes a commotion would break out: locals couldn't help but ask . . who are you? where are you from? welcome! - 9 February 2008


Left over from the war
Made by Carl Montgomery
The road sides are still littered with abandoned tanks and mine fields www.carlmontgomery.com


stacks of money
Made by tristam sparks
the somaliland shilling. or the SOS. there were smaller denominations . . but not very useful. each stack is about $20 - 9 February 2008


Power is nothing
Made by Swiatoslaw Wojtkowiak
Berbera, Somaliland. Policeman waiting on the checkpoint for presidential convoy which is to come from the the capital, Hargeisa.