The authorities in the self-declared republic of Somaliland have announced plans to introduce Sharia law.

The minister of religious affairs, Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad, said girls and boys would now go to separate schools, and men and women would be treated separately in hospitals.

He said the measures would be introduced as soon as was practical.

Mr Ahmad told the BBC women would also be expected to dress in what he called a modest fashion -- though he said there were no plans to force foreign women working in Somaliland to wear Islamic dress.