U.S. Embassy Warden Message
March 06, 2007

As a precautionary measure, in light of the recent kidnapping of European tourists in Ethiopia, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa will temporarily require all of our Embassy personnel to receive approval from the Embassy Regional Security Officer before traveling in and around the Afar region.

All U.S. citizens planning to travel to this region should monitor the local news and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy while in Ethiopia.  The Embassy will continue to evaluate the security situation and notify all U.S. citizens of any changes. 

American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa at 251-11-124-2424; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-11-124-2400; website: http://addisababa.usembassy.gov/. 

For the latest security information, Americans 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, Public Announcements, 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., 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.)