The United States Embassy in Addis Ababa warned American citizens to reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans.
The US Embassy in Addis Ababa issued the advisory covering most regions of Ethiopia, including the capital Addis Ababa, with some areas designated as having increased risk levels.
"…The security situation in Addis Ababa is stable. However, there is sporadic violent armed conflict and civil unrest in other areas of Ethiopia. The security situation may worsen without warning," the Embassy warned.
The embassy advised Americans not to travel to Tigray Regional State, Afar Regional State, Amhara Regional State, Sidama Regional State, and parts of Oromia Regional State due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime. Gambella Regional State and Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State were listed as risky due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
The advisory specifically warned against travel to multiple newly formed regional states and border areas. Americans were advised not to travel within 50 kilometers of border areas with Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Kenya due to terrorism, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict.
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"…Do not travel to the Sidama Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the Central Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the South Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest. Do not travel to the Southwest Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest," the embassy stated.
The embassy noted that US government employees working in Ethiopia require special authorization to travel outside Addis Ababa due to safety risks. Communications disruptions were highlighted as a significant concern affecting embassy operations.
"…Internet, cellular data, and phone services are often restricted or shut down before, during, and after unrest. These disruptions affect the U.S. embassy's ability to communicate with Americans in Ethiopia and delay consular services," the advisory stated.
The comprehensive warning represents an unusually broad geographic scope for US travel advisories to Ethiopia, covering most of the country's regional states including border areas with all neighboring countries. The advisory reflects heightened American diplomatic concern about Ethiopia's security environment and could impact bilateral relations, business confidence, and tourism. Previous US travel advisories to Ethiopia have typically focused on specific conflict zones rather than issuing such wide-ranging warnings that include the capital region.
