Warden Message
March 19, 2009

Security Alert – Dire Dawa, Harar, Jijiga and the Somali Region

The Embassy reminds American citizens to avoid travel to the cities of Dire Dawa, Harar, and Jijiga, including the areas surrounding these cities, and to the Somali Region of Ethiopia.  American citizens who do travel to or reside in these areas are advised to avoid public gatherings and public places, including hotels, and should avoid using public transportation and transportation hubs.  The Embassy reminds Americans that there is still a heightened state of alert for these areas, as was noted in the warden message and security alert of June 6, 2008.  U.S. Embassy employees are prohibited from travelling to these areas except for essential travel, which is reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis only.

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/.