The gate of State House. Now a settlement of Internally displaced Somalis In Hargeysa, Somaliland...Built in 1952 in anticipation of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, State House was the jewel in British Somaliland's crown - host to dignitaries and home to the Governor of the Protectorate who would entertain on its golf course and in its gardens. ..29,000 people now call State House home. Amongst the barren landscape, flimsy shelters, broken glass, rusty nails and in the derelict shadow of...
more »

The gate of State House. Now a settlement of Internally displaced Somalis In Hargeysa, Somaliland...Built in 1952 in anticipation of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, State House was the jewel in British Somaliland's crown - host to dignitaries and home to the Governor of the Protectorate who would entertain on its golf course and in its gardens. ..29,000 people now call State House home. Amongst the barren landscape, flimsy shelters, broken glass, rusty nails and in the derelict shadow of the former State House has sprung a city. Its people are both legacy and testament to wars gone by and current conflict in Somalia. ...Koos Aw Dahir , age 40, has been living in State House since 1992. She was one of the first 4 families to settle..According to Aw Dahir, "When it was built, State House was very beautiful. I never went in and saw it, the closest you could get was the gate. But people who'd seen inside used to tell stories, it was marvelous. .There are so many problems here now though. There is no water, no medical centre, no playgrounds for the children..."When i settkled here i forgot about lifein town. This place was everything to me. I hada plce for my kids. I though 'Now i am president of myself'".
« less