Travel Update-Weekly Edition

April 10th, 2008

Airline News

Comoros - On April 7 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "This Travel Alert is being issued to advise U.S. citizens traveling to the Union of the Comoros of the potential for unrest following the removal of former president Mohamed Bacar from authority over the island of Anjouan by African Union and Comoran forces. This Travel Alert expires on May 31, 2008. "On March 25, control of the island of Anjouan was restored to the Union of Comoros following the forcible removal of former Anjouan Island president Mohamed Bacar, who had illegally retained and seized power. French authorities detained Bacar on the island of Mayotte, whence he had fled, and transported him to the French Overseas Department of Reunion where his asylum request is pending. Street demonstrations protesting French involvement and perceived protection of Bacar following his arrival in French controlled territory have occurred in Moroni, the Comoran capital. These protests are primarily directed against the French, but threats have also been made against other westerners. Further demonstrations are expected, pending resolution of Bacar's asylum claim with France and the criminal case against him in the Comoros. "In light of this information, U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider the risks of travel to Comoros at this time. The military situation in Anjouan is still unsettled and the possibility of spontaneous mob violence throughout Comoros persists. U.S. citizens already in Comoros are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and a low profile. The United States does not have an Embassy in the Union of the Comoros so the ability of the United States Department of State to assist American citizens encountering difficulty is extremely limited."

 

Democratic Republic Of Congo - On April 4 the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued the following Warden Message: "The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa hereby informs American citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that the Embassy has increased security precautions for U.S. government personnel traveling to the Goma/North Kivu area and recommends travelers to defer non-essential travel to this area. The Travel Warning dated January 8  remains in effect for the DRC. "American citizens resident in or visiting Goma and the surrounding areas are reminded that the area remains dangerous due to the continued presence of armed militia groups, in spite of the ongoing efforts of many to move forward with the recently forged Goma Peace Accords. "Due to an increase in hotel robberies, the recent violent assault and robbery of a U.N. staff member and several murders in Goma, the U.S. Embassy has recently implemented the following additional security measures for official U.S. government travelers in the Goma area. American citizens are advised to consider taking the same measures: 1. Remain indoors at night; observe an Embassy-imposed curfew of 10:00pm; 2. Minimize the carrying of large sums of cash or other valuables on your person or in your quarters; 3. When staying at area hotels, use appropriate safe deposit boxes and/or safes when possible; 4. Travel in official vehicles whenever possible. (If you are with an official organization like the UN, use marked vehicles.) "Americans in the area are advised to closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources for updated reports. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200 and 1800, and also provides flash broadcasts throughout the day. English language news can be found on BBC at 92.6 FM. "Additionally, American citizens are urged to review and update their personal and professional emergency plans, and take necessary precautions. As always, Americans are urged to use caution when traveling in the DRC and to be prepared for sudden changes in the safety and security situation throughout the country."

 

Haiti - The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince released the following Warden Message on April 9: "This Warden Message is being issued to alert American Citizens traveling to or living in Haiti that the U.S. Embassy has suspended operations effective Wednesday, April 9 due to demonstrations, looting, and violence in the capital, and continuing protests in the city of Les Cayes, located in the South Department of Haiti.  All visa services and routine American citizens services will be temporarily unavailable during this period. "The Embassy urges all U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security/safety awareness. Americans residing in Port-au-Prince and its environs as well as Les Cayes are encouraged to remain indoors, monitor the local news and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy.  Americans should avoid all crowds and demonstrations, and be sure to keep family and friends updated on their welfare and whereabouts.  The Embassy will continue to evaluate the situation and will notify U.S. citizens of any changes to Embassy operations or any new security threats."

 

Kenya - On April 4 the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "This Warden message is being issued to remind American citizens of the potential for violent crime in Kenya. On March 25, a locally hired Embassy employee and his daughter were robbed at gunpoint in Nairobi while on his way to work. The victims were ordered to the ground by the gunmen and robbed of their personal belongings. The victims did not resist the assailants and there were no injuries. "Crime is rampant, indiscriminate, at times violent, and can happen almost anywhere, although the risk of violent crime is higher in urban areas, especially Nairobi. American citizens should pay attention to their surroundings at all times, invest time in developing a personal security plan for all situations, and comply immediately with the demands of assailants as this reduces the risk of injury."

 

Kuwait - On April 8 the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City issued the following Warden Message: "On April 7, the Arab Times ran a front-page headline ‘Terrorists May Target Americans in Kuwait.’ On page 2, the paper reprinted the Kuwait portion of the yearly DOS Crime and Safety Report. The relevant passage reads: "The US Embassy and the Government of Kuwait have received threat information indicating official and private Americans may be targeted for terrorist attacks. Soft targets such as western hotels and restaurants can be considered vulnerable to terrorist attack, although many are making improvements in their perimeter and internal security. American citizens are advised to avoid apartment complexes where Americans or other Westerners are generally know to congregate in large numbers. We recommend that Americans maintain a low profile and vary routes and times for required travel to avoid predictable schedules. "The information in the report reflects a general assessment of crime and safety in Kuwait. The section addressing threats by terrorist organizations is not based on any specific and recent information, but on statements made by al-Qaeda leaders in recent years. The report reiterates existing Consular advice to Americans overseas to be aware of potential threats and to remain vigilant. Americans already in Kuwait or those planning to travel here can find updated consular information on security and other topics by visiting the website www.travel.state.gov."

 

Mali - On April 4 the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued the following Warden Message: "The Embassy of the United States in Bamako, Mali, recently received information that the Northern Mali Tuareg Alliance for Change (ATNMC) - a Tuareg rebel group - may have positioned itself south-west of Kidal along the road to Gao. In January 2008, this same group positioned landmines and staged kidnappings along roads from the Mali-Algerian border near the town of Tinzawaten . . . the U.S. Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Northern Mali."

 

Nicaragua - On April 4 the U.S. Embassy in Managua issued the following Warden Message: "There has reportedly been an outbreak of politically motivated violence in Puerto Cabezas following an altercation between opponents of municipal elections and supporters of municipal elections. "The airport in Puerto Cabezas is operating intermittently and several people have been stranded. The Regional Security Officer at the Embassy is notifying all embassy personnel to avoid travel to or within Nicaragua's North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN). "We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the affected areas if possible, and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any demonstrations."

 

Yemen - On April 7 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning updates information on security incidents in Yemen. On April 7, the Department of State ordered the departure from Yemen of non-emergency American employees of the U.S. Embassy and eligible family members. The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen. American citizens remaining in Yemen despite this warning should monitor the U.S. Embassy website at http://yemen.usembassy.gov for updates on security concerns and should make contingency emergency plans. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Yemen issued March 19, 2008. "The Department of State ordered the departure from Yemen of non-emergency American employees of the U.S. Embassy and eligible family members following the April 6. 2008 attack on the Hadda residential compound in Sanaa in which three explosive rounds were fired into the compound. This attack follows the March 18 mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy, which injured several Yemeni citizens in the vicinity of the Embassy. Embassy employees are not authorized to travel outside of Sanaa and have been advised to avoid hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas and to strictly limit their exposure in public places until further notice. "The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Yemen at this time. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen despite this warning should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and making contingency emergency plans such as ensuring travel documents are current. American citizens in Yemen are advised to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide including restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. … Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there. "The Department remains concerned about possible attacks by extremist individuals or groups against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived interests. On January 17. 2008, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives ambushed a tourist convoy in the eastern Hadramout Governorate, killing two Belgians. On July 2, 2007, suspected al-Qa'ida operatives carried out a vehicle-borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Belquis Temple in Marib, which resulted in the deaths of eight Spanish tourists and two Yemenis. The targeting of tourist sites by al-Qa'ida may represent an escalation in terror tactics in Yemen. In February 2006, 23 convicts, including known affiliates of al-Qa'ida, escaped from a high-security prison in the capital city, Sanaa, some of whom remain at large. Two of the escapees were later killed while participating in vehicle-based suicide attacks on oil facilities near Mukalla and Marib in September 2006. Those attacks were followed by the arrest the next day in Sanaa of four suspected al-Qa'ida operatives, who had stockpiled explosives and weapons. "Since January 2007, the Government of Yemen has been battling al Houthi rebels in and around the northern governorate of Saada. While foreigners have not been targeted, hundreds of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the ongoing violence. U.S. citizens traveling in Yemen should be aware that local authorities occasionally place restrictions on the travel of foreigners to parts of the country experiencing unrest. In addition, the U.S. Embassy itself often restricts travel of official personnel to the tribal areas north and east of Sanaa, such as the governorates of Amran, Al Jawf, Hajja, Marib, Saada, and Shabwa. Travelers should be in contact with the Embassy for up-to-date information on such restrictions."

Previous Updates