https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/ethiopia-travel-warning.html
Ethiopia Travel Warning
Last Updated: October 21, 2016
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all
non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to ongoing unrest that has led to
hundreds of deaths, thousands of arrests, as well as injuries and
extensive property damage, especially in Amhara and Oromia States. The
U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in many parts of
the country is limited by the current security situation.
The Government of Ethiopia declared a State of Emergency effective
October 8, 2016. An October 15 decree states that individuals may be
arrested without a court order for activities they may otherwise
consider routine, such as communication, consumption of media,
attending gatherings, engaging with certain foreign governments or
organizations, and violating curfews. The decree prohibits U.S. and
other foreign diplomats from traveling farther than 40 kilometers
outside of Addis Ababa without prior approval from the Government of
Ethiopia, which severely affects the U.S. Embassy’s ability to assist
U.S. citizens. The full text of the decree implementing the State of
Emergency is available on the U.S. Embassy’s website.
Internet, cellular data, and phone services have been periodically
restricted or shut down throughout the country, impeding the U.S.
Embassy’s ability to communicate with U.S. citizens in Ethiopia. You
should have alternate communication plans in place, and let your
family and friends know this may be an issue while you are in
Ethiopia. See the information below on how to register with the U.S.
Embassy to receive security messages.
Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, continuously assess your
surroundings, and evaluate your personal level of safety. Remember
that the government may use force and live fire in response to
demonstrations, and that even gatherings intended to be peaceful can
be met with a violent response or turn violent without warning. U.S.
citizens in Ethiopia should monitor their security situation and have
contingency plans in place in case you need to depart suddenly.
U.S. government personnel are restricted from personal travel to many
regions in Ethiopia, including Oromia, Amhara, Somali and Gambella
states, southern Ethiopia near the Ethiopian/Kenyan border, and the
area near the Ethiopia/Eritrea border. Work-related travel is being
approved on a case-by-case basis. U.S. government personnel may travel
to and within Addis Ababa without restrictions. For additional
information related to the regional al-Shabaab threat, banditry, and
other security concerns, see the Safety and Security section of the
Country Specific Information for Ethiopia.
Due to the unpredictability of communication in the country, the
Department of State strongly advises U.S. citizens to register your
mobile number with the U.S. Embassy to receive security information
via text or SMS, in addition to enrolling in the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP).
For further information:
See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution,
Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for
Ethiopia.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive
security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, located on Entoto Street in
Addis Ababa, at +251-11-130-6000from 7:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Thursday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens
is+251-11-130-6911 or 011-130-6000.
Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or
1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Received on Fri Oct 21 2016 - 14:32:30 EDT