Liberia Travel Warning

Issued by US Department of State

Feb 27, 2002

This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Liberia dated May 31, 2001. It alerts Americans to fighting in Bomi County and the Government of Liberia's declaration of a state of emergency. These events represent a further deterioration in the security situation in Liberia.

The Department of State reaffirms its warning to U.S. citizens against travel to Liberia due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. In response to the recent spread of unrest to Bomi County, about 30 miles north of Monrovia, the Government of Liberia declared a state of emergency on February 8. Fighting continues in the northwestern counties of Lofa and Gbarpolu where dissidents are active along the border with Sierra Leone and Guinea. Furthermore, the presence of many ill-trained and armed government security personnel in the country continues to constitute a potential danger.

U.S. citizens in Liberia should be aware of their surroundings at all times and use caution in traveling. Travel anywhere after dark is discouraged.

Because of the security situation, the ability of the U.S. Embassy to provide direct assistance to U.S. citizens outside of the Monrovia area is severely limited. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of U.S. Government employees both by time and location; U.S. citizens in Liberia should check with the Embassy for current information regarding these restrictions. The Department prohibits dependents from accompanying U.S. Government employees to Liberia.

Americans in Liberia are strongly urged to register and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Liberia at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy at 111 United Nations Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia, Liberia, telephone (231) 226-370, fax (231) 226-154. For further general information on Liberia, travelers may consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Liberia at http://travel.state.gov.