U.S. Embassy Warden Message
April 8, 2008

In the run-up to local elections that will be held throughout Ethiopia on April 13 and April 20, the Embassy recommends that Americans exercise caution especially around polling places (Ethiopia has more than 41,000 polling places throughout the country) and reiterates its recommendation that Americans avoid public demonstrations and large crowds.  While the Embassy anticipates election-related security will be tight and does not anticipate that there will be violence associated with local elections, past elections have sparked violent protests in some areas and elements hostile to the Ethiopian government could try to cause disruptions on polling days.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)

The U.S. Embassy is located at Entoto Avenue, P.O. Box 1014, in Addis Ababa.  American citizens with questions or concerns may telephone the Consular Section at 251-11-124-2424; emergency after-hours telephone: 251-11-124-2400; consular fax: 251-11-124-2435; website: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/.