AFRICA
BurundiBurundi, January 20, 2000-- The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Burundi due to the uncertain security situation within Burundi and the surrounding Great Lakes Region. Burundi has been involved in a civil war since 1993. Fighting can be intense and has increasingly involved attacks on the capital, Bujumbura. On October 12, 1999, two expatriate employees of United Nations organizations were shot execution-style during an ambush in Muzye, Rutana Province. On November 23, a hand grenade was thrown into the central market in downtown Bujumbura, killing five and injuring 14 others. Extremist groups are active throughout the Great Lakes Region, and some have committed or threatened violence against U.S. citizens and interests. One such extremist group that operates out of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC) specifically targeted and killed U.S. citizens in March 1999 in southwestern Uganda.

The U.S. Embassy operates with a reduced staff and restricts U.S. Government personnel from traveling outside Bujumbura, the capital, due to unpredictable incidents of violence throughout Burundi. U.S. Government personnel may only travel to areas in Bujumbura deemed safe by the U.S. Regional Security Officer. In addition, family members are prohibited from accompanying U.S. Government employees assigned to Burundi.

U.S. citizens in Burundi should establish and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy and consider their own personal security in determining whether to remain in the country.

Burundi, February 2, 2000-- As a result of the ongoing conflict between government and rebel forces in Burundi, the U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. Government personnel from flying in or out of Bujumbura during the hours of darkness. Americans considering travel to Burundi, despite the Travel Warning for Burundi, issued on January 20, 2000, should take this information into account.


MozambiqueMozambique, January 26, 2000--
Travelers to Burundi should be aware of flooding of the Incomati, Umbeluzi, and Limpopo rivers. Roads have been washed out, and some areas have been evacuated. The situation is expected to worsen, as waters have exceeded the holding capacity of the Peguenos Libombos dam west of Maputo.


Namibia, February 11, 2000-- The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the entire northern border area of Namibia, including the entire Kavango and Caprivi regions of Namibia, due to
the uncertain security situation. U.S. Government affiliated personnel are being relocated, and U.S. citizens in the area are urged to depart. Fighting between the armed Namibiaforces of Angola and the Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA) has spilled over into Namibia. UNITA has staged violent cross-border raids and planted land mines. Foreign tourists have been attacked and killed by men in military uniform on the Trans-Caprivi Highway between Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

Maps courtesy of 4maps.com.

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