U.S. Embassy Warden Message
Millennium Events
August 31, 2007

American citizens residing in or visiting Ethiopia are advised to exercise extra caution during the anticipated heavily attended millennium celebrations, Sept 10-14.  Crowds are expected to be extremely dense at the venues for the millennium festivities as well as at hotels, restaurants and public places.  For safety and security, the Embassy strongly advises American citizens to assess carefully their safety and security and try to avoid crowded public places.
 
American citizens are also advised to exercise caution when considering going to any public venue in order to ensure their personal safety and security during this period.   Disruptions may include interruption of telephone service, severe vehicular traffic and pedestrian congestion, road closures and security checkpoints, significantly increased police and security service presence around town, increased likelihood of petty street crime, crowd control problems at large public events, and increased motor vehicle accidents, especially late at night related to intoxicated drivers.  Security may be of concern at cafes, night clubs restaurants, hotels and other public areas.  Americans are also advised to refrain from travel outside Addis during the millennium period because of disruptions to public transportation.

Americans are advised to have a three-to-four day supply of food and water available during the week should events make it difficult to move around town.  The U.S. Embassy tentatively plans to be closed for routine business from August 11 to 14 due to the anticipated traffic congestion.  While emergency assistance for American citizens will be available, the Embassy’s ability to respond quickly will likely be affected by the millennium celebrations.  Americans are urged to register at the U.S. Embassy.

The Embassy reminds the American public that the USG has issued a general travel warning for all of East Africa due to enhanced security concerns, and this travel warning remains in place.

Americans living or traveling in Ethiopia are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ethiopia.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
 
The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa.  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.)