Ethiopia is at Level 3: reconsider travel

There was no change to the advisory level.  The “other” risk indicator was updated to include exit bans and communication disruptions. The advisory summary was updated.

Reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

• Tigray region and border with Eritrea due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Afar region due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Amhara region due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• Gambella region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• Benishangul Gumuz region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• Specific areas within the Oromia region due to armed conflict, ethnically motivated violence, and unrest.
• Sidama Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Central Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• South Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Southwest Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• Border with Somalia due to terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines.
• Border with Sudan and South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, unrest, and armed conflict.
• Border with Kenya due to terrorism, armed conflict, and unrest.

Advisory summary

Unrest

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.

Communications Disruptions

• 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.

Limited consular services for Americans

• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel outside of Addis Ababa due to safety risks.
• Due to travel restrictions, the U.S. embassy has limited access to Americans arrested or detained in Ethiopia and routine consular services are only available at the embassy.
• Ethiopian law does not recognize dual citizenship. There are often delays in notifying the U.S. embassy of an arrest for dual U.S.-Ethiopia nationals.

Exit bans that prevent departure

• Americans are subject to local laws. If you break immigration laws in Ethiopia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subjected to an exit ban. Exit bans prevent travelers from leaving.
• The Government of Ethiopia imposes exit bans on Americans who have unpaid immigration fines and strictly enforces them.
• There have been cases where Americans have been fined more than $100,000 in immigration fines.
• Ethiopian law does not recognize dual citizenship.  Americans should not enter Ethiopia with an Ethiopian passport. Research Ethiopian entry and exit requirements and immigration law before you travel.

Crime

• Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing.
• Violent crime can occur and is more common after dark. Do not walk or drive at night.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ethiopia. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Kidnapping

Terrorist groups are active in Ethiopia and have targeted foreigners for kidnapping. Risk of kidnapping for ransom is highest in the Gambella region, Benishangul Gumuz region, Somalia border region, Sudan border region, and South Sudan border region.

Landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist in the region near the border with Somalia. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4 – Do not travel

Tigray Region

• Do not travel to the Tigray Region including the border with Eritrea due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Tigray Region due to safety risks.
• There is ongoing armed conflict and violence in these areas.
• Border roads with Eritrea are closed and conditions at the border may change without warning.
• Do not travel to the Tigray Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Afar Region

• Do not travel to the Afar Region due to armed conflict, unrest, and crime.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Afar Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Afar Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Amhara Region 

• Do not travel to the Amhara Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Amhara Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Amhara Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Gambella Region

• Do not travel to the Gambella Region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Gambella Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Gambella Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Benishangul Gumuz Region

• Do not travel to the Benishangul Gumuz Region due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Benishangul Gumuz Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Benishangul Gumuz Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Oromia Region – Specific Areas

• Do not travel to Horro-Guduru Wollega, East Wollega, West Wollega, Kelem Wollega, and Illubabor due to risk of armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to Horro-Guduru Wollega, East Wollega, West Wollega, Kelem Wollega, and Illubabor due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.

There is very high risk of unexpected armed conflict in:

• North, West, and Southwest Shewa. This is the area to the immediate north and west of Addis Ababa.
• The Boset and Fentale woredas of East Shewa zone between Welenchiti and Awash The Borena zone surrounding Bule Horaa
• The Guji zone to the east of Bule Hora

Do not travel to these areas for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Sidama Region

• Do not travel to the Sidama Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Sidama Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• The risks are very high in Gedeo, Konso zones, and the Amaro and Derashe special woredas.
• Do not travel to the Sidama Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Central Ethiopia Region

• Do not travel to the Central Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Central Ethiopia Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Central Ethiopia Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

South Ethiopia Region

• Do not travel to the South Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the South Ethiopia Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the South Ethiopia Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Southwest Ethiopia Region

• Do not travel to the Southwest Ethiopia Region due to armed conflict and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the Southwest Ethiopia Region due to safety risks.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the Southwest Ethiopia Region for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Border with Somalia

• Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border area with Somalia due to risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the border area with Somalia due to safety risks.
• Terrorists are active in Somali towns near the border with Ethiopia. There is a high risk of cross-border attacks and kidnappings.
• Landmines are present in this region. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize.
• Do not travel to the border area with Somalia for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Border with Sudan and South Sudan

• Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border areas with Sudan and South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, armed conflict, and unrest.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the border area with Sudan and South Sunda due to safety risks.
• Sporadic violent conflict is common.

The highest risk areas include but are not limited to:

• The Nuer Zone and the Jore Woreda of the Agnuak Zone in the Gambela region
• The Pawe, Guba, Dangur, Dibati, and Bulen woredas
• The Metekel zone in the Benishangul Gumuz Region

Do not travel to the border areas with Sudan and South Sudan for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Border with Kenya

• Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the border areas with Kenya due to terrorism, armed conflict, and unrest.
• This includes but is not limited to the Borena zone and surrounding areas.
• U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to the border area with Kenya due to safety risks.
• Al-Shabaab and other terrorists are active in this area.
• There is a high risk of political and ethnic conflicts and related armed conflict and violence.
• Do not travel to the border areas with Kenya for any reason.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to Travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Ethiopia:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Monitor local media for breaking events. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by foreign travelers.
• Carry a copy of your passport and visa and leave originals in your hotel safe.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.  Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited. Read the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information.
• Review the Country Security Report for Ethiopia.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest Travel Health Information for Ethiopia.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.