Travel Warning and Security in Cote d’Ivoire

December 16, 2011

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of travel to Cote d'Ivoire.  U.S. citizens who
reside in or travel to Cote d'Ivoire should monitor
conditions carefully, maintain situational awareness, and
pay very close attention to their personal security.
While the security situation has improved during the past
several months, the potential for some civil unrest
remains.  Security conditions could change quickly and
without advanced warning.  This Travel Warning replaces
the Travel Warning of June 16, 2011 to update U.S.
citizens on the current security situation.

The Embassy continues to operate as a partially
unaccompanied post, meaning minor dependents of U.S.
government employees are not permitted to travel to or
accompany family members to Cote d'Ivoire.  Embassy
personnel are also subject to travel limitations and are
instructed to avoid large gatherings, crowds, and areas
where political events are planned.  Our ability to
assist U.S. citizens in an emergency may be limited in
certain circumstances.

If you are planning travel to Cote d'Ivoire despite
this Travel Warning, particularly to destinations outside
of Abidjan, you should consult the Embassy or your host
organization for the most recent security assessments of
the areas to which you plan to travel.  Crimes, such as
mugging, robbery, burglary, and carjacking, pose risks
for foreign visitors in Abidjan and around the country.
You should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic or at
road blocks due to the threat of assault and/or robbery,
and you should avoid travel outside of the city after
dark.  Land routes to neighboring countries are open, but
be cautious and alert when traveling these routes.  Local
law enforcement authorities have limited capacity to
respond to emergencies.

U.S. citizens planning to depart the country should
check the Abidjan International Airport website for
flight availability prior to traveling to the airport.

U.S. citizens in Cote d'Ivoire are urged to contact
the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan for information on the latest
Embassy security guidelines, and to enroll in the Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  By enrolling, U.S.
citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them
in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll
directly with the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan at Riviera Golf
neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan, east of
the downtown area during normal business hours--Monday
through Thursday 07:30 to 16:30, Friday 07:30 to 13:30.

You can stay in touch and receive Embassy updates by
checking the U.S. Embassy Abidjan's website.  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 if calling 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, http://travel.state.gov, 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.

If you are going to live in or travel to Cote
d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning, please take the
time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  If you enroll, we
can keep you up-to-date with important safety and
security announcements.  It will also help your friends
and family get in touch with you in an emergency.  You
should remember to keep all of your information in STEP
up-to-date.  It is important during enrollment or
updating of information to include your current phone
number and current email address where you can be reached
in case of an emergency.

The Embassy is located at 01 B.P. 1712 Abidjan 01
Cote d'Ivoire.  If you have questions or concerns about
safety or related issues, you are encouraged to contact
the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email
message to AbjAmcit@state.gov.  The Embassy Consular's
section can be reached by telephone at 225-22-49-40-00
and emergency after-hours telephone at 225-22-49-44-50.