Travel Warning

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to security concerns in the southwestern Gambella Region of Ethiopia. This Public Announcement expires on March 19, 2003.

On December 13, 2003, eight people were killed when an Ethiopian vehicle carrying Ethiopian refugee officials was attacked in the Gambella Region, which borders Sudan. Following this latest incident, UNHCR withdrew non-essential personnel from Gambella.

Inter-ethnic clashes are prevalent in the western-most tip of the Gambella Region in west Ethiopia. Travel to this region is not recommended. Visitors should seek current guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa or from local officials before traveling to areas along the Ethiopia/Sudan border.

U.S. citizens planning to travel to Ethiopia should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Ethiopia, the East Africa Public Announcement and the most recent Worldwide Caution Public Announcement , which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or 317-472-2328 from overseas.

U.S. citizens visiting or resident in Ethiopia are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security from the Embassy before traveling in Western Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa, telephone: [251] (1) 550-666, extension 316/336; emergency after-hours telephone: [251] (1) 552-558; consular fax: [251] (1) 551-094; website: http://usembassy.state.gov/ethiopia.