Burundi Travel Warning

Issued by US Department of State

Jul 23, 2003

This Travel Warning is being issued to alert Americans to increased fighting and mortar attacks in and around Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, as well as continuing attacks on vehicles on major roadways and on other towns throughout the country. The Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Burundi. This supersedes the Travel Warning of April 23, 2003. Due to intensified fighting between government and rebel forces, the Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Burundi. The Department recommends that private American citizens in Burundi evaluate their personal security situation in light of the continuing fighting and consider departure while commercial flights remain available.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Burundi due to the uncertain security situation within Burundi, and among the several states in the surrounding Great Lakes region. Burundi has been plagued by civil war since 1993. As the result of a peace process undertaken by many of Burundi's political parties, a three-year transition government was installed on November 1, 2001. Two rebel factions continue combat operations, one concentrated around Bujumbura and the other in several areas of the country. Fighting between rebel forces and government troops can be intense, and often involves non-government, non-combatant targets.

Rebels have launched rocket and mortar attacks on Bujumbura and other major cities. There has been gunfire in and around the capital resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. Vehicles on the nation's major roads have been attacked regularly. The Embassy assesses that further attacks are possible. The U.S. Embassy in Burundi operates with a reduced staff and restricts the travel of U.S. Government personnel within the capital, while travel outside the capital is limited to travel by air only. Family members are prohibited from accompanying U.S. Government employees assigned to Burundi, and personnel assigned to Burundi on a temporary basis may have their visits cancelled or curtailed. U.S. Government personnel are strictly prohibited from flying to, from, or within Burundi during the hours of darkness. The Government of Burundi maintains a curfew for Bujumbura, as does the U.S. Embassy. Curfew hours may be adjusted from time to time due to changing security conditions. Please contact the U.S. Embassy for the most up-to-date curfew information.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Burundi despite this Travel Warning should establish and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy. American citizens needing updated travel and security information should contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy at Avenue Etats-Unis, telephone (257) 223-454, fax (257) 222-926.

For further information on travel abroad, please consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information publications, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available at http://travel.state.gov.