American Citizen Services

Warden Messages

Holiday Crime Caution (12/14/2007)

U.S. Embassy Abidjan

December 17, 2007

To the American Citizen Community:

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security during the holiday season. While crime is always a concern in Abidjan, at this time of year, the public is even more vulnerable to crime. As people try to find a means to provide for their families at Christmas or Tabaski, Americans may see an increase in the number of roadblocks, for example, or a rise in robberies and other petty crime.

A member of the American Embassy Community was recently accosted and robbed while riding a bicycle in the Riviera neighborhood. Outside the Embassy community, in the last two weeks, there have also been reports of home invasions in the Deux Plateaux neighborhood and an attempted carjacking in Cocody.

As the State Department develops information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. The Embassy may close to the public temporarily from time to time in response to security developments. The U.S. Embassy is located in the Riviera Golf neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan.  Americans should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp, by calling (225) 22-49-40-00, or faxing (225) 22-49-42-02. Americans in Cote d'Ivoire who need assistance should contact the Embassy at (225) 22-49-40-00.  American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions in Cote d’Ivoire by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from all other countries