"Capital of offstage Somaliland" a Hargeysa Travel Page by foretopman

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Gate to Somaliland's Liaison Office in Addis Ababa

Getting a visa for Somaliland

A country which does not appear on maps anymore, Somaliland is now officially considered as part of troubled Somalia; but in real life it's a state on its own.
Not being internationally recognized, it doesn't have the right to open diplomatic delegations in foreign countries, but still has uncredited missions, or Liaison Offices, in few of them, namely the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and the USA; plus contact officers in Djibouti and Italy. It is through them that you can get the required visa to enter Somaliland.
I got it in Addis Ababa, and here is how and where.

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Fantu Supermarket in Bole Road

You first call one of the numbers you find on the official site of the repubblic http://www.somalilandgov.com/contacts.htm, and arrange an appointment that will be usually given before 12 a.m. in front of the Fantu supermarket or by the Meridian Hotel in Bole Rd. Which is where someone will be sent to pick you up and take to the "embassy".
Bole Road is the large and long road that leads to the airport, and Fantu supermarket is a yellow building on the right as you turn your back toward the center of town and face the airport. Some hundreds meters after a bridge.

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I Love Somaliland

If you want to reach the office on your own, cross Bole Rd. and take the head-on street (which leads to the embassies of Madagascar and Mozambique) and once you reach #242 turn left following the sign to the residence of the South African ambassador. After a few meters, on your right, you'll see the black gate to the representative office of Somaliland. A sticker reading "I love Somaliland" is likely to be on the iron gate.
Enter the gate, and walk through the yard till the "visa section" at the back of the building.
Bring 40 USD and a photo, and you'll get your visa straightaway.