Liberia Travel Warning

Issued by US Department of State

Jan 21, 2003

This Travel Warning is being issued to alert Americans to ongoing threats and dangers in Liberia which stem from intensified fighting, roadblocks, increased crime, and rising instability caused by the movements of refugees and other civilians fleeing violence in Cote d'Ivoire. Furthermore, the Liberian government has made statements blaming the U.S. for problems within Liberia. All of this represents a deterioration in the security situation in Liberia and a potential danger for American citizens there. This supersedes the May 21, 2002, Travel Warning for Liberia.

The Department of State reaffirms and strengthens its warning to U.S. citizens against traveling to or remaining in Liberia due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. Dissidents during the last year have clashed with government troops in a number of areas, including the counties of Lofa, Gbarpolu, Bomi, Margibi and Bong. The fighting may spread to other areas of the country without warning. With the onset of the dry season, fighting has reportedly increased in many areas. This has led to the closure of principal roads to Sierra Leone and Guinea and from Monrovia to the western part of the country.

The presence of many ill-trained and often heavily armed government security personnel in the country can constitute a serious danger as well. Roadblocks throughout the country manned by armed soldiers or militias with varying levels of training and discipline create the potential for flash points without warning or provocation.

The war in Cote d'Ivoire has resulted in the outflow of large numbers of refugees and other civilians into bordering countries. Inflows into Liberia are overloading already-limited social services and further increasing the sense of insecurity in the country.

Recently, the government of Liberia has voiced vague warnings about the alleged presence of foreign assassins in Liberia. Such warnings could result in anti-foreigner sentiment. A recent call for public demonstrations against the policies of the United States, other public statements and press articles accusing the U.S. of intrusive involvement in the affairs of the Liberian government, and even suggestions that the U.S. is at fault for the problems of Liberia, all present new potential threats for Americans in Liberia.

U.S. citizens who choose to travel to or remain in Liberia despite this warning should be aware of their surroundings at all times and use caution in traveling. Travel anywhere after dark is strongly discouraged. Owing to the potential for violence, U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies and street demonstrations. In addition, due to recent animosities among security forces, U.S. citizens should avoid any gathering of such forces. Americans should report any threats or suspicious activity to the Embassy in Monrovia and monitor the local media for developments that may affect their safety and security.

Due to 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 by both 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) 226-148. Travelers should also consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Liberia and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at .