The Unite States Embassy in Addis Ababa, warned its citizens to reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans.
The advisory listed most of the regions of Ethiopia including the capital Addis Ababa as risky while some areas with increased risk. “…The security situation in Addis Ababa is stable. However, there is sporadic violent armed conflict and civil unrest in other areas of Ethiopia. The security situation may worsen without warning,” the Embassy warned.
It warned not to travel to Tigray, Afar Amhara, Sidama, parts of Oromia region of the country due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime. while Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz regions are listed as risky for travelers due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
In addition the embassy has listed several areas as dangerous for Americans to travel to.”…Do not travel to the Sidama Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the Central Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the South Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the Southwest Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border area with Somalia due to risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines. Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border areas with Sudan and South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest. Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border areas with Kenya due to terrorism, armed conflict, and unrest. This includes but is not limited to the Borena zone and surrounding areas,” the US Embassy warned.
The donor travel to laces in Ethiopia listed by the embassy are:
• Tigray region and border with Eritrea due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Afar region due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Amhara region due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Gambella region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• Benishangul Gumuz region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• Specific areas within the Oromia region due to armed conflict, ethnically motivated violence, and unrest.
• Sidama Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Central Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• South Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Southwest Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Border with Somalia due to terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines.
• Border with Sudan and South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, unrest, and armed conflict.
• Border with Kenya due to terrorism, armed conflict, and unrest.
The Embassy also stated that there is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ethiopia.
“…Internet, cellular data, and phone services are often restricted or shut down before, during, and after unrest. These disruptions affect the U.S. embassy’s ability to communicate with Americans in Ethiopia and delay consular services…U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel outside of Addis Ababa due to safety risks. Due to travel restrictions, the U.S. embassy has limited access to Americans arrested or detained in Ethiopia and routine consular services are only available at the embassy, the US Embassy in Addis Ababa stated in its travel to Ethiopia risk advisory.
