Warden Message
April 15, 2009

Demonstration in Central Addis Ababa, Morning of April 16

The Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) party has been granted permission for 250 people to stage a protest march starting at their new headquarters (very close to the USAID complex behind the Bambis grocery store) at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, Thursday, April 16th.  They will present a petition demanding the release of Birtukan Mideksa, the party's jailed leader.

The route is from the UDJ Office via Bole Road to Meskel Square to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then to the Prime Minister's Office.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. through at least 1:00 p.m., U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the street along the USAID building, the areas around Meskel Square, the ECA, the Hilton Hotel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Palace, Arat Kilo, and the street near the Prime Minister’s office. The march itself starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at noon.
 
There is an expectation of attempts to disrupt the march and/or incite violence. The Federal Police Rapid Force and Riot Police are prepared to deal with this possibility and will have a substantial presence through all areas of the march.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations.

American citizens are reminded to review their personal safety and security posture and to remain vigilant especially at public events and venues.  Beware of unattended baggage or packages left in any location, including in minibuses and taxis.  American citizens are strongly urged to review all the Department of State’s cautions about travel in Ethiopia, contained in the Country Specific Information for Ethiopia on the Department’s website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1113.html.  The Embassy’s recent warden messages are available at: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/service.html

For the latest security information, American citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)

The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa; telephone: 251-11-124-2424; in the event of an emergency involving American citizens after-hours, call: 251-11-124-2400; consular fax: 251-11-124-2435; web site: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/.