American Citizen Services

Travel Warnings - Cote d'Ivoire

On December 18, 2006, the U.S. State Department issued the following updated Travel Warning for Cote d’Ivoire:

This Travel Warning updates U.S. citizens on ongoing safety and security concerns in Cote d’Ivoire.  The Department of State continues to prohibit minor dependents from accompanying U.S. government employees assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan and to urge Americans to defer non-essential travel to Cote d’Ivoire.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of March 3, 2006.

In November 2004, fighting between Ivorian government forces and the New Forces resulted in the deaths of French peacekeepers and an American citizen when a government aircraft bombed a French installation in Bouake.  France responded by destroying all of the aircraft of the Ivorian Air Force.  This French reaction precipitated widespread rioting, looting, and violence in Abidjan and elsewhere.  This violence was directed primarily against the French, but other expatriate and some Ivorian individuals, homes, and businesses were affected.  Elections did not take place at the end of October 2005 as scheduled, and after protracted negotiations, the president’s term was extended to the end of October 2006.  In December 2005, a coalition government, which included the New Forces, was formed and tasked with advancing the peace process and facilitating elections by October 2006.  In January 2006, there were renewed demonstrations in Abidjan and other areas in the south, directed against the UN and French presence.  UN peacekeepers fired on demonstrators in the western town of Guiglo, killing several people.  In late 2006, elections were again delayed and the president’s term was extended until October 2007. 

The Department of State continues to urge that Americans defer non-essential travel to Cote d’Ivoire.  The security situation remains tense and potentially volatile, but shops and businesses are open.  Travel throughout the south, controlled by forces loyal to President Gbagbo, is possible, and overland routes to the north, still controlled by the New Forces, are also open.  Extreme caution is recommended at all times when traveling within the country.  The airport currently operates normally and handles a number of flights by regional and European carriers.  Land routes to the Ghanaian border are open.

The Department of State continues to prohibit minor dependents from accompanying U.S. government employees assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan.  Embassy employees are asked to limit their travel within Abidjan and to avoid travel at night.  Private American citizens are urged to follow the same guidelines.  U.S. Embassy personnel must obtain prior approval before traveling north of Yamoussoukro, west of Sassandra, or east of Assinie (including to the Ghanaian border).  Americans should also ensure that their vehicles are fully fueled and that they have adequate cooking fuel, food and water for several days.

The new U.S. Embassy is located in the Riviera Golf neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan.  The Embassy may close to the public temporarily from time to time, in response to security developments.  U.S. citizens who remain in, or travel to, Cote d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Cote d'Ivoire and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.  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.