TRAVEL WARNING: BURUNDI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 076552

SIPDIS,
LONDON, PARIS PLEASE PASS TO AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC AF BY
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: BURUNDI


1. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of
the risks of travel to Burundi and continues to caution
Americans that travel outside the capital, Bujumbura,
presents significant risks, especially after nightfall.
The U.S. Embassy restricts travel of its personnel in
Burundi, and certain areas of Bujumbura are off-limits to
U.S. government personnel after daylight hours. This
replaces the Travel Warning for Burundi dated January 8,
2009, to provide information regarding demobilization of
rebel forces after the cease-fire agreement between these
groups and the government, as well as revised information
on security restrictions for Embassy personnel.


2. From 1993 to 2006, Burundi was plagued by a civil war
that often involved non-governmental and non-combatant
targets. In September 2006, the government and the last
rebel group not yet party to peace accords, the
PALIPEHUTU?FNL (FNL),signed a cease-fire agreement. The
FNL leaders agreed to discontinue hostilities and to
implement fully the cease-fire agreement. FNL rebels
have since begun to demobilize as the group transitions
into an officially-recognized political party. However,
their presence in demobilization camps has been marked by
several disturbances in the camps and surrounding
communities.


3. Crime and banditry are still prevalent in the province
of Bujumbura Rural despite the general demobilization.
Crime, often committed by groups of street children or
armed bandits, poses the highest risk for foreign
visitors to both Bujumbura and Burundi. Common crimes
include muggings, burglaries, robberies and carjackings.
Visitors should keep car doors locked, windows up, and be
careful when stopped in heavy traffic due to the threat
of robbery. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of
armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly on the
roads leading out of Bujumbura. Due to the lack of
resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi often
are unable to provide timely assistance during an
emergency.


4. The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of Embassy
personnel in Burundi, and certain areas of the capital
are off-limits to U.S. government personnel after
nightfall. U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from
walking on the streets after dark and from using local
public transportation at any time. The Embassy's
Regional Security Officer (RSO) must pre-approve all
travel outside a 30 km radius of Bujumbura, and employees
must travel on an approved itinerary in two-vehicle
convoys equipped with satellite phones and emergency
equipment. The RSO may also place further restrictions
on employee movement due to changing security conditions,
such as requiring alternate routing or a security escort.
Within 30 km of the city, employees may travel in single
vehicles, but must check in and out with the Embassy.
All employee movement outside the city after dark is
forbidden. The Embassy recommends that American citizens
not travel on national highways from dusk to dawn.


5. American citizens who travel to or remain in Burundi
despite this Travel Warning are urged to contact the U.S.
Embassy in Bujumbura for information on the latest
Embassy security guidelines, and to register at the State
Department's travel registration website. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the
Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans

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without internet access may register directly with the
U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des Etats-Unis. The
hours for non-emergency American Citizen Services are
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on
Fridays. The Embassy Consular section can be reached by
telephone, including for after hours emergencies, at
(257) 22-20-7000, or by fax at (257) 22-22-2926.
Security information for American citizens in Burundi is
posted at the Embassy's website.


6. For further information, consult the Country Specific
Information for Burundi and the current Worldwide Caution
Travel Alert, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Updated
information on travel and security in Burundi is
available at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and
Canada, or by calling a regular toll line at 202-501-4444
from other countries. These numbers are available from
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).


7. Minimize considered.
CLINTON