Internal protection alternative

GUIDANCE NOTE
Last update: August 2023

In order to determine that internal protection alternative (IPA) is available in a particular part of the applicant’s country of origin, three cumulative criteria have to be met: ‘safety’, ‘travel and admittance’ and ‘reasonableness to settle’. For the purposes of this document, the analysis focuses on the possibility of applying IPA with regard to Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa.

The conclusions from the assessment of the three criteria are outlined below.

Safety

GUIDANCE NOTE
Last update: August 2023

In relation to Mogadishu, the requirement of safety may be satisfied only in exceptional cases. Individual circumstances are to be taken into consideration.

In relation to Garowe and Hargeisa, the requirement of safety may be satisfied, depending on the profile and the individual circumstances of the applicant.

Travel and admittance

GUIDANCE NOTE
Last update: July 2023

For those applicants who meet the ‘safety’ criterion, the assessment of the availability of IPA should proceed with an assessment of the requirements of safety and legality of travel and of gaining admittance.

Based on available COI, it is concluded that there are some security concerns with regard to the safety of travel to Mogadishu. With regard to Garowe and Hargeisa, it is concluded that, in general, a person can access these cities without serious risks.

The possession of appropriate identification and/or travel documents is required to access Somalia and Somaliland. When passing through checkpoints to travel to Mogadishu, Garowe, and Hargeisa, and to circulate in the three cities, the lack of identification documents may render the applicant vulnerable to ill-treatment at checkpoints.

The possession of a 30-day visa would not be sufficient to consider that the applicant can settle in Hargeisa.

Clan affiliation does not constitute a legal requirement to travel and gain admittance in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa, however it would be a crucial factor to take into account when examining the next requirements of reasonableness to settle in one of these cities.

Reasonableness to settle

GUIDANCE NOTE
Last update: July 2023

Mogadishu

Based on the general situation in Mogadishu, and taking into account the applicable individual circumstances, internal protection alternative may be reasonable only in exceptional cases. Such exceptional cases would in particular include some able-bodied men and married couples without children with no additional vulnerabilities, who belong to locally majority clans and who have educational and professional background facilitating their access to employment, or a support network which is able to assist them in accessing basic subsistence, or those who otherwise have sufficient financial means. In the case of couples, basic subsistence in Mogadishu has to be ensured for both spouses.

Garowe and Hargeisa

In the case of single able-bodied men and married couples without children, internal protection alternative may be reasonable for those who belong to the local majority clan and can rely on its support and who have no additional vulnerabilities.

In the case of families with children and unaccompanied children, internal protection alternative would in general not be reasonable. Individual circumstances and the best interests of the child should be duly assessed.

In the case of applicants from minority groups, including clans who can be considered minorities in the local context, internal protection alternative would in general not be reasonable.

In the case of other profiles, the individual circumstances of the applicant, in particular in relation to clan affiliation, gender, age, the existence of a support/clan network, etc. should be given due consideration, when assessing the reasonableness to settle in these cities.