Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE131310
2008-12-15 18:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 131310
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC IV
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - COTE D'IVOIRE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 131310
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC IV
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - COTE D'IVOIRE
1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of traveling to Cote d'Ivoire and urges U.S.
citizens to exercise extreme caution while traveling
in Cote d'Ivoire. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Cote d'Ivoire dated June 09, 2008, updates
information on the security and political situation,
and advises all U.S. citizens to maintain an adequate
supply of water, food, and fuel.
2. Cote d'Ivoire continues to experience periodic
episodes of political unrest and violence since a 2002
failed coup attempt evolved into an armed rebellion
that split the country in two. Ivorian President
Laurent Gbagbo and New Forces leader Guillaume Soro
signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA) in
March 2007 and a new government was formed with Soro
as Prime Minister (PM). Although implementation of
the accord is ongoing, the political situation has not
fully returned to normal. In December 2007, Bouake,
the largest city under the control of the New Forces,
experienced rioting by disaffected rebel soldiers and
paramilitary forces, as well as fighting between
opposing factions within the rebel movement, amid
rumors of another coup attempt. Travel for the
local population was severely restricted during this
period, and two employees of the U.S. Embassy were
evacuated by United Nations (UN) forces to a
safehaven. Both UN and French peacekeepers remain in
the country.
3. Given the sometimes tense and potentially volatile
security situation, the Department of State urges
American citizens to exercise extreme caution should
they travel to Cote d'Ivoire, and to take special care
when traveling outside Abidjan. In February 2008,
Embassy personnel and other international
organizations were prevented from traveling to and
from western Cote d'Ivoire due to rioting by
government soldiers. Americans planning travel to
Cote d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should
consult the Embassy or their host organization(s) for
the most recent security assessment of the areas where
they plan to travel. Increases in food and oil prices
could provoke impromptu strikes or demonstrations, as
occurred in Abidjan in July 2008. Crimes such as
mugging, robbery, burglary, and carjacking pose the
highest risk for foreign visitors in Abidjan.
Visitors should be careful when stopped in heavy
traffic or at impromptu roadblocks due to the threat
of violent robbery, and should avoid travel outside of
the city after dark. Land routes to neighboring
countries are open, although overland travel to
Liberia and Guinea is strongly discouraged, and
caution is urged when crossing into Mali, Burkina
Faso, and Ghana.
4. Long-delayed presidential elections scheduled for
November 30, 2008 have been postponed and a new date
has not yet been set. Americans traveling to Cote
d'Ivoire should follow political developments
carefully, as there is potential for violence in the
run-up to, and aftermath of, the elections.
5. The Department of State continues to prohibit
minor dependents under the age of 18 from accompanying
U.S. government employees assigned to the Embassy in
Abidjan. Embassy employees are asked to be cautious
when traveling within Abidjan and to avoid travel
outside of the city at night. Private Americans are
urged to follow the same guidelines. U.S. Embassy
personnel must obtain prior approval before traveling
more than 35 kilometers outside Abidjan. Some of
those requests may be denied, or multi-vehicle convoys
may be required for security reasons. Americans
resident in Cote d'Ivoire should maintain several
STATE 00131310 002 OF 002
days' supply of cooking fuel, food, and water at home,
and ensure that their vehicles are fully fueled at all
times.
6. The U.S. Embassy is located in the Riviera Golf
neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan. The
Embassy may close to the public temporarily from time
to time in response to security developments. U.S.
citizens who remain in, or travel to, Cote d'Ivoire
despite this Travel Warning should consult the
Department of State's latest Country Specific
Information for Cote d'Ivoire and the Worldwide
Caution at http://travel.state.gov. Americans should
register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a
registration form on-line at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or by
calling (225) 22-49-40-00, or faxing (225) 22-49-42-
02. Americans in Cote d'Ivoire who need assistance
should contact the Embassy at (225) 22-49-40-00.
7. Current information on safety and security can
also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free
within the United States and Canada, or, for callers
outside of the United States and Canada, by calling a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers
are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
8. Minimize considered.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC IV
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - COTE D'IVOIRE
1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of traveling to Cote d'Ivoire and urges U.S.
citizens to exercise extreme caution while traveling
in Cote d'Ivoire. This replaces the Travel Warning
for Cote d'Ivoire dated June 09, 2008, updates
information on the security and political situation,
and advises all U.S. citizens to maintain an adequate
supply of water, food, and fuel.
2. Cote d'Ivoire continues to experience periodic
episodes of political unrest and violence since a 2002
failed coup attempt evolved into an armed rebellion
that split the country in two. Ivorian President
Laurent Gbagbo and New Forces leader Guillaume Soro
signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA) in
March 2007 and a new government was formed with Soro
as Prime Minister (PM). Although implementation of
the accord is ongoing, the political situation has not
fully returned to normal. In December 2007, Bouake,
the largest city under the control of the New Forces,
experienced rioting by disaffected rebel soldiers and
paramilitary forces, as well as fighting between
opposing factions within the rebel movement, amid
rumors of another coup attempt. Travel for the
local population was severely restricted during this
period, and two employees of the U.S. Embassy were
evacuated by United Nations (UN) forces to a
safehaven. Both UN and French peacekeepers remain in
the country.
3. Given the sometimes tense and potentially volatile
security situation, the Department of State urges
American citizens to exercise extreme caution should
they travel to Cote d'Ivoire, and to take special care
when traveling outside Abidjan. In February 2008,
Embassy personnel and other international
organizations were prevented from traveling to and
from western Cote d'Ivoire due to rioting by
government soldiers. Americans planning travel to
Cote d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should
consult the Embassy or their host organization(s) for
the most recent security assessment of the areas where
they plan to travel. Increases in food and oil prices
could provoke impromptu strikes or demonstrations, as
occurred in Abidjan in July 2008. Crimes such as
mugging, robbery, burglary, and carjacking pose the
highest risk for foreign visitors in Abidjan.
Visitors should be careful when stopped in heavy
traffic or at impromptu roadblocks due to the threat
of violent robbery, and should avoid travel outside of
the city after dark. Land routes to neighboring
countries are open, although overland travel to
Liberia and Guinea is strongly discouraged, and
caution is urged when crossing into Mali, Burkina
Faso, and Ghana.
4. Long-delayed presidential elections scheduled for
November 30, 2008 have been postponed and a new date
has not yet been set. Americans traveling to Cote
d'Ivoire should follow political developments
carefully, as there is potential for violence in the
run-up to, and aftermath of, the elections.
5. The Department of State continues to prohibit
minor dependents under the age of 18 from accompanying
U.S. government employees assigned to the Embassy in
Abidjan. Embassy employees are asked to be cautious
when traveling within Abidjan and to avoid travel
outside of the city at night. Private Americans are
urged to follow the same guidelines. U.S. Embassy
personnel must obtain prior approval before traveling
more than 35 kilometers outside Abidjan. Some of
those requests may be denied, or multi-vehicle convoys
may be required for security reasons. Americans
resident in Cote d'Ivoire should maintain several
STATE 00131310 002 OF 002
days' supply of cooking fuel, food, and water at home,
and ensure that their vehicles are fully fueled at all
times.
6. The U.S. Embassy is located in the Riviera Golf
neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan. The
Embassy may close to the public temporarily from time
to time in response to security developments. U.S.
citizens who remain in, or travel to, Cote d'Ivoire
despite this Travel Warning should consult the
Department of State's latest Country Specific
Information for Cote d'Ivoire and the Worldwide
Caution at http://travel.state.gov. Americans should
register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a
registration form on-line at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or by
calling (225) 22-49-40-00, or faxing (225) 22-49-42-
02. Americans in Cote d'Ivoire who need assistance
should contact the Embassy at (225) 22-49-40-00.
7. Current information on safety and security can
also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free
within the United States and Canada, or, for callers
outside of the United States and Canada, by calling a
regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers
are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
8. Minimize considered.
RICE