Mogadishu / Somalia advice at DVinfo.net

Phill Pendleton · December 21st, 2011, 09:16 PM

Hi All
Been asked to shoot a short docco in Mogadishu, meant to be quite dangerous.
Have the usual flak jackets, guards, secure accommodation etc. I also have experience shooting (probably not an appropriate word) in Congo and Northern Uganda.
Just wondering what the recent situation is like there and after any advice from those who have been or might live there.
Regards
Phill Pendleton

Chris Soucy · December 22nd, 2011, 07:04 PM

Er, you sure you want to get into this:

Somalia travel advice

"Braver man than I, Gungadin."

CS

Simon Wood · December 23rd, 2011, 12:55 AM

If you are going over there you would need to have a 'fixer' in place to arrange travel and security. Whoever asked you to shoot the documentary has presumably been there?

Northern Uganda and the DRC won't prepare you for the all out Mad Max style lawlessness that has been festering in Somalia for the last two decades.

Phill Pendleton · December 23rd, 2011, 01:19 AM

Thanks Chris and Simon for your replies.
I realize what a dodgy place it is, we have a fixer in place who has been working there for the last 11 years. He specializes arranging shoots for media etc.
I can pull out of the trip if trouble there escalates. Its been quiet there since November, still 4 weeks of peace doesn't mean things will stay the same.
I was wondering Simon if you have been there or know of someone based there? Although we have the fixer I feel I need more info from others (the fixer could be saying anything to gain business).
Any info will be appreciated (and thanks Chris for the link)
cheers
Phill Pendleton

Simon Wood · December 23rd, 2011, 05:30 PM

Sorry, I have never been there; and although I knew some people who had worked there previously (pilots & aid workers) they have been out of the country now for a number of years.
Everyone I met who has visited the place universally hated the experience; never heard a good word about it.

Laurence Kingston · January 12th, 2012, 04:02 PM

Is there such a thing as "kidnapping ransom insurance"? If there is, you may want to get some.

I've been to Kenya and Tanzania, but that is as close as I'm brave enough to get to Somolia.

Laurence Kingston · January 12th, 2012, 04:03 PM

What is the doc subject?

Stewart Hemley · February 9th, 2012, 03:13 AM

I was talking to a guy last week who had just returned from Somalia. He was a high-profile/good target (!) and had some pretty hairy protection but even so his many heavily armed guards were nervous about a 600 metre transfer from his "safe district" hotel to the next building. His main security person told him that seven foreigners had been killed in the last month, but "...not to worry as the last two were Belgian." We couldn't workout what the hell that was supposed to mean but it sort of shows the real situation there. No way would I risk it right now but if you go, make sure your loved ones are well set up!!

December 21st, 2011, 09:16 PM	#1
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Mogadishu / Somalia advice Hi All Been asked to shoot a short docco in Mogadishu, meant to be quite dangerous. Have the usual flak jackets, guards, secure accommodation etc. I also have experience shooting (probably not an appropriate word) in Congo and Northern Uganda. Just wondering what the recent situation is like there and after any advice from those who have been or might live there. Regards Phill Pendleton

December 22nd, 2011, 07:04 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,691 Images: 18	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice Er, you sure you want to get into this: Somalia travel advice "Braver man than I, Gungadin." CS

December 23rd, 2011, 12:55 AM	#3
Simon Wood Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Entebbe Uganda Posts: 768	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice If you are going over there you would need to have a 'fixer' in place to arrange travel and security. Whoever asked you to shoot the documentary has presumably been there? Northern Uganda and the DRC won't prepare you for the all out Mad Max style lawlessness that has been festering in Somalia for the last two decades. __________________ http://vimeo.com/channels/guerrillafilms

December 23rd, 2011, 01:19 AM	#4
Phill Pendleton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Australia NSW Posts: 71	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice Thanks Chris and Simon for your replies. I realize what a dodgy place it is, we have a fixer in place who has been working there for the last 11 years. He specializes arranging shoots for media etc. I can pull out of the trip if trouble there escalates. Its been quiet there since November, still 4 weeks of peace doesn't mean things will stay the same. I was wondering Simon if you have been there or know of someone based there? Although we have the fixer I feel I need more info from others (the fixer could be saying anything to gain business). Any info will be appreciated (and thanks Chris for the link) cheers Phill Pendleton

December 23rd, 2011, 05:30 PM	#5
Simon Wood Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Entebbe Uganda Posts: 768	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice Sorry, I have never been there; and although I knew some people who had worked there previously (pilots & aid workers) they have been out of the country now for a number of years. Everyone I met who has visited the place universally hated the experience; never heard a good word about it. __________________ http://vimeo.com/channels/guerrillafilms

January 12th, 2012, 04:02 PM	#6
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice Is there such a thing as "kidnapping ransom insurance"? If there is, you may want to get some. I've been to Kenya and Tanzania, but that is as close as I'm brave enough to get to Somolia.

January 12th, 2012, 04:03 PM	#7
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice What is the doc subject?

February 9th, 2012, 03:13 AM	#8
Stewart Hemley Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK and Japan Posts: 68	Re: Mogadishu / Somalia advice I was talking to a guy last week who had just returned from Somalia. He was a high-profile/good target (!) and had some pretty hairy protection but even so his many heavily armed guards were nervous about a 600 metre transfer from his "safe district" hotel to the next building. His main security person told him that seven foreigners had been killed in the last month, but "...not to worry as the last two were Belgian." We couldn't workout what the hell that was supposed to mean but it sort of shows the real situation there. No way would I risk it right now but if you go, make sure your loved ones are well set up!!