Travel Warning:U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea
Travel Warning U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs Eritrea November 04, 2011 The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea and strongly recommends U.S. citizens defer all travel to
Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Eritrea
November 04, 2011
The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea and strongly recommends U.S. citizens defer all travel to the country. This replaces the Travel Warning dated February 27, 2011, updates information on security incidents, including piracy, and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Eritrea.
The Eritrean government continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals. These restrictions require all visitors and residents, including U.S. diplomats, to apply 10 days in advance for permission to travel outside Asmara’s city limits. Permission is rarely granted. As a result, the U.S. Embassy is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency consular assistance outside of Asmara.
A number of Eritrean-U.S. dual citizens have been arrested without apparent cause. Once arrested, detainees may be held for extended periods without being told the purpose of their incarceration. Conditions are harsh – those incarcerated may be held in very small quarters without access to restrooms, bedding, food, or clean water. The Eritrean government does not inform the U.S. Embassy when U.S. citizens, including those who are not dual nationals, have been arrested or detained. Similarly, should the U.S. Embassy learn of the arrest of a U.S. citizen, the Eritrean government rarely allows consular access, regardless of the reason the U.S. citizen is being held.
The Eritrean government-controlled media frequently broadcasts anti-U.S. rhetoric, and has done so since December 2009, when the UN imposed sanctions on Eritrea. Although there have been no specific incidents of violence targeting U.S. citizens, U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution and to avoid demonstrations. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and the Southern Red Sea region, including the port of Assab, as there have been military tensions in these areas.
U.S. citizens on ships and sailing vessels are strongly advised not to sail off the Eritrean coast nor to attempt to dock in Eritrean ports or travel through Eritrean waters.
In December 2010, a British ship attempting to refuel in Massawa was detained by Eritrean authorities, and its crew of four was held for six months without consular access before being released. There are reports of additional vessels with nationals from other countries being detained for several months. In nearly all cases, the Eritrean government has neither given a reason for detention, nor granted consular access. The port of Assab is closed to private marine vessels.
In August 2011, three separate incidents of piracy were reported off the Eritrean coast near the port of Assab. High-speed skiffs with armed persons on board continue to attack merchant vessels. If transit around the Horn of Africa is necessary, vessels should travel in convoys, maintain good communications contact at all times, and follow the guidance provided by the Maritime Security Center – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA). U.S. citizens should consult the Maritime Administration’s Horn of Africa Piracy page for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and naval forces in the region.
U.S. citizens are also urged to avoid remote Eritrean islands, some of which may be used for Eritrean military training and would therefore be unsafe.
U.S. citizens choosing to travel to Eritrea should obtain an Eritrean visa before their arrival in Eritrea. Persons arriving by marine vessel likely will not be able to obtain an Eritrean visa. Additionally, fuel and provisions are often unavailable in Massawa and other parts of Eritrea and are often scarce in Asmara.
U.S. citizens considering travel within Eritrea should be aware of the presence of large numbers of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the Eritrean-Ethiopian border, and acute political tensions between the two countries. In March 2008, Eritrean restrictions on diesel fuel supplies caused the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea’s detachments to withdraw from the Temporary Security Zone, leaving no international observers monitoring the border. Skirmishes between troops of both countries resulted in fatalities in January and February of 2010.
Although Eritrean forces withdrew from disputed territory at the border with Djibouti as part of a Qatari-led mediation effort, tensions in that area remain high.
In April 2010, a bomb blast just over the border with Ethiopia killed five persons and injured 20. In May 2010, 13 people were injured when a bomb exploded on a bus just over the border with Ethiopia. In July 2010, 78 people were killed in two suicide attacks in Kampala, Uganda, including Eritreans and a U.S. citizen. Although we are not aware of specific threats against U.S. citizens in Eritrea, the Kampala bombings mark the first time that the Somalia-based, U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab, which has threatened U.S. citizens, has demonstrated a capacity to operate outside of its base in Somalia.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious problem throughout the country. There are reports of accidents and incidents where vehicles or people occasionally detonate mines. Many detonations occurred on relatively well-traveled roads in and near the Gash Barka region of western Eritrea; subsequent investigations indicated that several mines were recently laid. In September 2011, press reported that a vehicle in Senafe, 60 miles south of Asmara, ran over a landmine; five people were killed and another 34 injured in the incident. Vast areas of the country still have not been certified free of mines and unexploded ordnance following the 30-year war for independence and the subsequent 1998-2000 conflict with Ethiopia. U.S. citizens should avoid walking alone and hiking in riverbeds or areas that local government officials have not certified as safe.
Crime in Asmara has increased as a result of deteriorating economic conditions along with persistent food, water, and fuel shortages, and rapid price inflation. The combination of forced, open-ended, low-paying, national service for many Eritreans and severe unemployment leads some Eritreans to commit crime to support their families. Eritrean authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate crime or prosecute perpetrators.
U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Eritrea are strongly advised to enroll through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of emergency.
The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Asmara, though closed for most visa services, is fully open for U.S. citizen services between the hours of 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday, or by appointment. The U.S. Embassy in Asmara is located at 179 Alaa Street, P.O. Box 211, Asmara; telephone (291-1) 12-00-04, available 24 hours in case of emergency; fax (291-1) 124-255 and (291-1) 127-584.
Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at-1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler IPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
Zekhtam Eritrawi November 6, 2011
“Crime in Asmara has increased as a result of deteriorating economic conditions along with persistent food, water, and fuel shortages, and rapid price inflation. The combination of forced, open-ended, low-paying, national service for many Eritreans and severe unemployment leads some Eritreans to commit crime to support their families. Eritrean authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate crime or prosecute perpetrators.”
The above stated caveat is unprecedented to say the least. If anything, PFDJ has always prided itself of running a country virtually a crime free. However, the apparent of taking matters onto own hands and the urge to do what ever it takes to remain afloat amidst the incredibly harsh economic realities sends a chilling message that something big is in the offing. Oh Eritrea, my own private Eritrea, what’s happening to you!!!
Huluf November 6, 2011
The ball is rolling…no one is going to be able to stop truth…it is clear that DIA and Higdefite are caught naked in a game of chess of with Woyane….and are outflanked. Whether they are still supporting Al Shebab is not an issue….they have once worn the same jersey, teamed up and Al Sheba is in bad light as it should be. DIA thinks he could do anything, ….recall when with his filthy mouth threatened that he could destabilise Ethiopia…that is how his mind works….next thing Woyanes started throwing out every Eritrean(I am not excusing the evil deed Woyanes did at that time) but that is how he operates…he has no regard for life….where is he now our youth being dehumanised in Egypt? How come he does not even make a single effort to protest this act even if they went on “a picnic”.
Abdi November 6, 2011
@zekhtam Eritrawi (temesgen medhane)
USG repeating these nonsense all the times despite the exposures from its own citizens who have ignored these misinformation and visit the country,however Eritrea is and will remain one the safest countries in the world.
and here some complements about Eritrea and Eritreans from Americans and Eu visitors,
When the reporter Robert D. Kaplan visited Eritrea, he describes how Asmara is a place where the citizens can leave their car doors unlocked and prowl the back streets at all hours without fear of being robbed”. He goes on to mention that foreign diplomats move freely around the country without guards or other escorts, as if they were at home.
“Security, which consumes the Western diplomatic and aid communities in Sana’a (and everywhere else in the Middle East), is barely an issue in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital. Despite its tattered storefronts, Asmara not only is one of the cleanest capital cities in Africa but also may be the only capital south of the Sahara where one can leave the car doors unlocked or prowl the back streets at all hours without fear of being robbed, even though the police are barely in evidence. American, Israeli, and other resident diplomats and aid administrators in Eritrea move freely around the country without guards or other escorts, as if they were at home.”
(A Tale of Two Colonies, The Atlantic, by Robert D. Kaplan)
http://tesfanews.net/archives/4915
Selam November 7, 2011
@zekhtam Eritrawi: When did you go to Eritrea ?
All you have to do is ask the people who been there recently or even better why don’t you call your family back home and find out.
Dawit November 6, 2011
The report might be a hint for what the US is up to. The United States, with its highly developed means of gathering reliable information, is often the first to know if a government has a crack. Despite its usual “zeraf”, “zeraf”, “men kemana rhetoric”, PFDJ may be nearing its inevitable death bed.
Selam November 7, 2011
May be if everybody pays their 2% we want have this problem.
Yonas B. November 6, 2011
To those who support the GOE, please do not view anyone that opposes the GOE in the slightest way as a traitor. He or she has valid reasons or misconception about realities. Use this as an opportunity to right the wrong and bring them back to theoir senses. The position leaders, who shuttle between Europe/USA and Addis Abeba are doing it for their selfish reasons of financial gain from foreign intelligence agencies and the Woyane govt. Absent that, they are motivated by narrow motives of religion and regionalism, so we should do everything we can to isolate them and confront them intellectually.
Yonas B. November 6, 2011
Last but not least, I want to say THANK YOU to ASSENNA for your coverage of the plight of Eritreans in Egypt/Libya/SUdan and for providing Eriteans this forum to discuss their issues like a family
Haile November 7, 2011
Life seems getting worse under the iron fist dictatorial regime, as an American Eritrean [yes, not as Eritrean American] will never visit Eritrea in the near future.
Abdi November 7, 2011
Lol,lArskha godeleka,be wise bro,don’t trust those oppositions they are active behind the scene and computer’s screen,they pay 2% and and visit Eritrea every summer,it says, old habit die hard,be careful they are backstabbers.
Selam November 7, 2011
My friend it will be your loss.
Dawit November 7, 2011
If you ask any one in any village in Eritrea, or the streets of Campo Citato , or any other streets in Asmara whether Eritreans need democracy, they will certainly look at you “b’migiram”. Eritreans immediate need is neither democracy, nor constitutions. Eritreans in Eritrea demand the immediate removal of the tyrant by any means possible….that’s their utmost need at the moment…The buck stops at Issayas’ desk and his “megaberiatat’s” are equally responsible for all the miseries Eritreans are under.
Selam November 7, 2011
By any means possible????? really you must have confused Eritrea with some other country. By the way just to give a lesson on Italian it is not Campo Citato it is CAMPO CINTATO. CITATO means something else this will be your home work.
Dawit November 7, 2011
What are you ? A speech therapy ?
Dawit November 7, 2011
Great that you keep me in check. I would have liked to hire you as my consultant-as a speech therapist. It’s important to realize that perfect accuracy is some times neither attainable nor desirable because the cost of attaining perfection is prohibitive.
Selam November 7, 2011
That is why I didn’t charge you.
Dawit November 7, 2011
America will soon have its’ giant Aircraft Career ready in the read sea for show of force and possible deterrence. It’s drones will also do there daily surveillance to gather damning evidence, or to find the last straw that would break the camel’s back.
Selam November 7, 2011
Oh dear you even need a lesson in English , READ SEA !!!!! “RED SEA”
Dawit November 7, 2011
Dear Selam,
thanks for correcting. As our fathers used to say “Kab Egris Eid TiEnqef”. I blame it on my fingers.
Readers please read as red, and there as their.
Thank you again for nitpicking. 😉
Selam November 7, 2011
The first one I wouldn’t hold it against you but the second one is like getting your name wrong, but in fairness you did admit your mistake if only the supporters & opposition could admit their mistakes.
Zekhtam Eritrawi November 7, 2011
Halew-lew aytbeli.
Selam November 7, 2011
Zekhtam Eritrawi ,sorry we didn’t CC you did you fill left out LOL.
Selam November 7, 2011
Zekhtam Eritrawi :Now let’s see how good you are in solving the problem in front of you.
simon haile November 7, 2011
If U.S. citizens they don’t go to eritrea who cares?
Thank you
simon haile November 7, 2011
Travel Warning:
The State of Eritrea continues to warn Eritrean citizens of the risks of travel to USA.
Crime in USA has increased as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, jobless and rapid price inflation. The unemployment leads some U.S. citizens to commit crime to support their families. U.S. authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate crime or prosecute perpetrators.
What about that…
Thank you.
Selam November 7, 2011
I like your comment “it cuts both ways” little did they Know. This is the problem it’s one thing wishing bad for your country and another thing disagreeing with the government or PFDJ only the majority know the difference that is why they are very quite.
ahmed Saleh November 7, 2011
I am a little confused to understand what does it mean,” crime has increased”. The people
are peacefull and GOD fearing. Unless they are refering to security personel of the country.
guest November 7, 2011
I do not know when but at one time there was an increase in crime including breaking houses by members of defense force who are stationed inside Asmara. Some people also terrorizing people in some parts of the city but i have no clue right now.
I do agree with you that the moral of the people is very high but one thing is true , because of the suffocating handling of the regime hide the crime but when things get loose anything happen, because in this situation get frustrated, angry and sometimes they do not know what to do, and trust me you will find some evil amongst the good.
Abdi November 8, 2011
Wise info.
Zekhtam Eritrawi November 7, 2011
Selam,
Whey you said, “Now let’s see how good you are in solving the problem in front of you”, is that meant to be a verbatim translation for “Mejemerta ab q’dmiekha zelo sh’gir or tsegem f’taH”? Please have mercy on the English language.
Zekhtam Eritrawi November 7, 2011
Whey=when
Selam November 7, 2011
No I didn’t mean that but that is ok, let’s just move on and agree to disagree.