U.S. warns citizens risk of travel to Ethiopia

ESAT News (August 25, 2017)

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Ethiopia due to “the potential for civil unrest and arbitrary detention.”

Replacing its travel warning issued in June the Department said “there continue to be reports of unrest, particularly in the Gondar region and Bahir Dar in Amhara State, and parts of Oromia State.”

“The Government of Ethiopia has demonstrated its ability and willingness to restrict or shut down internet, cellular data, and phone services, impeding the U.S. Embassy’s ability to communicate with U.S. citizens in Ethiopia and limiting the Embassy’s ability to provide consular services. Additionally, the Government of Ethiopia does not inform the U.S. Embassy of detentions or arrests of U.S. citizens in Ethiopia,” said the alert.

Canadian on Wednesday updated travel advisory to Ethiopia due to what it said was security incidents in parts of the country at the beginning of the week.