AFRICA
Zimbabwe,
May 12, 2000 -- The U.S. Embassy in Harare wishes to advise U.S. citizens
of continuing conditions that could affect their safety in Zimbabwe. These
conditions include the occupation of commercial farms by war veterans,
the potential for civil unrest during the run-up to the parliamentary
elections in mid 2000, and fuel shortages. Members and supporters of the
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association are currently occupying
over 700 commercial farms throughout the country. Police authorities view
these farm occupations as a political issue and have been reluctant to
dislodge the trespassers. At least 21 Zimbabweans have been killed. The
war veterans have not specifically targeted U.S. citizens for violence;
however, U.S. visitors and residents are urged not to visit any occupied
commercial farm. In addition, travelers are advised to re-confirm their
lodging immediately prior to departure for Zimbabwe, as numerous game
reserves and lodges around the country have closed due to the presence
of war veterans on or near their properties. During the run-up to the
parliamentary elections in the May through August 2000 period, U.S. citizens
should avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain
security awareness at all times in both rural and urban areas. These demonstrations
and rallies have the potential to turn violent, and typically occur in
the central business districts of cities or in high-density suburbs. Peace
Corps volunteers have consolidated in the capital of Harare and will remain
there until further notice. Zimbabwe has been experiencing serious nationwide
fuel shortages since the beginning of the year. The situation has begun
to subside, but travelers should be aware that shortages may persist.
Therefore, travelers should carefully assess their fuel situation before
setting out on long distance journeys.
Ethiopia,
May 12, 2000 -- The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider
deferring travel to Ethiopia in view of the renewed hostilities between
Ethiopia and Eritrea. Travelers are further warned against all travel
to the Tigray and Afar regions. The U.S. Government and others continue
to work for a negotiated solution to this conflict, but the hostilities
could spread beyond the immediate border area and potentially cause curtailment
or interruption of commercial transportation from the capital. The U.S.
Government's ability to assist Americans in the event of an emergency
may become limited should the situation unexpectedly deteriorate. U.S.
citizens are warned that travel in the Somali region of Ethiopia is considered
dangerous due to increasing incidents of armed banditry, and travel outside
the town of Gode should not be attempted. U.S. citizens are advised that
they are strictly prohibited from taking photographs of military installations,
police/military personnel, industrial facilities, government buildings
and infrastructure (roads, bridges, airfields, etc.). Consult the State
Department's latest Consular Information
Sheet for Ethiopia.
Poor seasonal rainfall has characterized the Horn of Africa region in recent years. Due to the depletion in herd numbers (50-70% losses), the essentially nomadic population are dependant on humanitarian assistance for survival. Current rains make it more difficult to deliver food to Ethiopia's drought-affected region. As the water table rises and grasses begin to emerge on the desert plains, weakened and debilitated animals that have survived long-term drought conditions risk bloating and subsequent death from frenzied feeding. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is accelerating efforts to cope with the urgent needs of the 188,000 beneficiaries in the targeted areas (Gode, Denan and Imi districts in the Gode Zone and Adaadle district in the Afder Zone). The Regional Drought Monitoring Centre in Nairobi predicts that rainfall suppression due to low sea surface temperatures will result in further below-average rainfall in the Somali region between May-July 2000. The various components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement present in Ethiopia -- the ICRC, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- are working in close co-operation to maximize assistance in this crisis period. Volunteers In Technical Assistance, a private, non-profit, international development organization, can be visited at www.vita.org or contacted at 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 710; Arlington, Virginia 22209, U.S.A. (tel. 703-276-1800).
As always, American citizens in Ethiopia are encouraged to contact the American Citizens Services Section of the Embassy (Tel: 251-1-550-593; after-hours Tel: 251-1-552-558) to register and to obtain up-to-date information.
Sierra
Leone, May 7, 2000 -- Since the security situation throughout Sierra
Leone has deteriorated, the U.S. State Department urges all Americans
to avoid and depart from this country. All non-emergency U.S. Embassy
personnel must leave Freetown. The international airport is subject to
suspension of operations without warning.
Republic
of Congo, May 3, 2000 -- Although the 1998-9 civil conflict has largely
ended, American citizens should defer all non-essential travel to the
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). Security continues to be unsettled in
certain regions and the U.S. Embassy in Brazzaville has been closed since
June 18, 1997. In April 1998 a Brazzaville U.S. Embassy Office opened
in the DRC, the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), which
may be able to give limited emergency services to American citizens in
some circumstances. The address is: Brazzaville U.S. Embassy Office at
the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, telephone: 243-88-43608.
Democratic
Republic of the Congo, May 3, 2000 -- The U.S. Department of State
warns American citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) and urges those in the country to depart. DRC is at war with
its three eastern neighbors, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Congolese rebels
or foreign armies occupy about half of the DRC's territory, and the Kinshasa
government exercises only nominal control over many areas in those parts
of the country under its authority. Tension in the capital is further
heightened by the influx of refugees from the civil conflict in the Republic
of Congo (Brazzaville), across the Congo River. English-speaking individuals
and travelers who appear to be members of military or missionary groups
have sometimes been specifically targeted for harassment. Travelers run
the risk of attack or detention. DRC government-imposed curfews are often
in effect and with minimal warning; please check locally to confirm current
curfew status and times. Security personnel have been known to enforce
DRC government-imposed curfews with gunfire. It is forbidden to photograph
public buildings, military installations, airports and the banks of the
Congo River. U.S. citizens should be aware that there are currency laws
in effect which require that all transactions be exclusively made in Congolese
francs.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa upon their arrival and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. 243-88-43608. The Consular section of the Embassy may also be reached at 243-88-43608, extension 2164/2376 or 243-88-46859 or 44609, fax 243-88-00228, 43467 or 03276. Cellular phones are the norm, as other telephone service is often unreliable.
Maps courtesy of 4maps.com.
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