On
July 22, 2009, the
U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning:
The U.S.
Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to
Burundi and continues to caution Americans that travel outside the
capital, Bujumbura, presents significant risks, especially after
nightfall. The U.S. Embassy restricts travel of its personnel in
Burundi, and certain areas of Bujumbura are off-limits to U.S.
government personnel after daylight hours. This replaces the Travel
Warning for Burundi dated January 8, 2009, to provide information
regarding demobilization of rebel forces after the cease-fire
agreement between these groups and the government, as well as
revised information on security restrictions for Embassy personnel.
From 1993 to 2006,
Burundi was plagued by a civil war that often involved
non-governmental and non-combatant targets. In September 2006, the
government and the last rebel group not yet party to peace accords,
the PALIPEHUTU–FNL (FNL), signed a cease-fire agreement. The FNL
leaders agreed to discontinue hostilities and to implement fully the
cease-fire agreement. FNL rebels have since begun to demobilize as
the group transitions into an officially-recognized political
party. However, their presence in demobilization camps has been
marked by several disturbances in the camps and surrounding
communities.
Crime and banditry
are still prevalent in the province of Bujumbura Rural despite the
general demobilization. Crime, often committed by groups of street
children or armed bandits, poses the highest risk for foreign
visitors to both Bujumbura and Burundi. Common crimes include
muggings, burglaries, robberies and carjackings. Visitors should
keep car doors locked, windows up, and be careful when stopped in
heavy traffic due to the threat of robbery. The U.S. Embassy has
received reports of armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly
on the roads leading out of Bujumbura. Due to the lack of
resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi often are unable
to provide timely assistance during an emergency.
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The U.S. Embassy
restricts the travel of Embassy personnel in Burundi, and certain
areas of the capital are off-limits to U.S. government personnel
after nightfall. U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from
walking on the streets after dark and from using local public
transportation at any time. The Embassy’s Regional Security Officer
(RSO) must pre-approve all travel outside a 30 km radius of
Bujumbura, and employees must travel on an approved itinerary in
two-vehicle convoys equipped with satellite phones and emergency
equipment. The RSO may also place further restrictions on employee
movement due to changing security conditions, such as requiring
alternate routing or a security escort. Within 30 km of the city,
employees may travel in single vehicles, but must check in and out
with the Embassy. All employee movement outside the city after dark
is forbidden. The Embassy recommends that American citizens not
travel on national highways from dusk to dawn.
American citizens
who travel to or remain in Burundi despite this Travel Warning are
urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura for information on
the latest Embassy security guidelines, and to register at the State
Department's travel registration website. By registering, American
citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of
emergency. Americans without internet access may register directly
with the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des Etats-Unis. The
hours for non-emergency American Citizen Services are 9:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Embassy Consular section
can be reached by telephone, including for after hours emergencies,
at (257) 22-20-7000, or by fax at (257) 22-22-2926. Security
information for American citizens in Burundi is posted at the
Embassy's website.
For further information, consult the
Country Specific Information for Burundi
and the current
Worldwide Caution, available on the Bureau
of Consular Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.
Updated information on travel and security in Burundi is available
at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a
regular toll line at 202-501-4444 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).
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today.
info@worldwidemedicalplans.com
877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
Click here
for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel Medical, Accident
& Life Insurance
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This Travel Warning is being
re-issued on January 24, 2007
to provide updated information on the security situation and to remind
Americans of the dangers of travel to Burundi.
The Department of State continues to
warn U.S. citizens against travel to Burundi. Burundi had been plagued
by civil war since 1993 that often involved non-government,
non-combatant targets. Gunfire in and around the capital resulted in
numerous injuries and deaths. In September 2006, the government and the
last remaining hold-out rebel group from the peace process, the
PALIPEHUTU - FNL, signed a cease fire agreement. Nevertheless, many of
the cease-fire provisions have not been implemented and the rebels still
retain the capability to conduct indirect fire attacks on the capital,
Bujumbura. The last recorded attack took place in July 2006. Rebels
are still present throughout Bujumbura Rural, which surrounds the
capital city. Due to insufficient resources, local authorities are
often unable to provide assistance in case of need.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This Travel Warning was issued on
April 22, 2008, to update American citizens on security conditions in
Burundi. American citizens should exercise caution while traveling in
the country. The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of its personnel in
Burundi, and certain areas of the capital, Bujumbura, are off-limits.
This supersedes the Travel Warning for Burundi dated December 10, 2007.
The Department of State continues to
caution U.S. citizens traveling to Burundi. Burundi was plagued by a
civil war from 1993 to 2006 that often involved non-government,
non-combatant targets. In September 2006, the government and the last
remaining hold-out rebel group from the peace process, the PALIPEHUTU–FNL,
signed a cease-fire agreement. Many of the cease-fire provisions have
not been implemented and the rebels still retain the capability to
conduct indirect fire attacks on the capital. In April 2008 rebel
forces engaged Burundian military units just outside of Bujumbura city
limits. Rebels are still present throughout Bujumbura Rural, which
surrounds the capital city.
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today.
info@worldwidemedicalplans.com
877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
Click here
for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel Medical, Accident
& Life Insurance
Crime, often committed by groups of
armed bandits or street children, poses the highest risk for foreign
visitors to Bujumbura and Burundi in general. Common crimes include
muggings, burglaries, robberies, and carjackings. Visitors should be
careful when stopped in heavy traffic due to the threat of robbery by
roving bands of criminals. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of
armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly on the roads leading
out of Bujumbura. U.S. Government personnel are restricted from walking
on the streets during hours of darkness, and prohibited from using local
public transportation. Due to insufficient resources, local authorities
in any part of Burundi are often unable to provide timely assistance in
case of need.
The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel
of Embassy personnel and certain areas of the capital, Bujumbura, are
off-limits to Embassy personnel. In addition, the Embassy’s Regional
Security Officer must pre-approve all travel outside the capital by U.S.
Embassy personnel, and employees must travel in two-vehicle convoys.
The Embassy recommends that Americans not travel on national highways
from dusk to dawn.
Crime, often committed by groups of
armed bandits, poses a high risk for foreign visitors in Bujumbura and
Burundi in general. Common crimes include muggings, burglaries, and
carjackings. Armed criminals often ambush vehicles, particularly on the
roads leading out of Bujumbura.
Adult dependents of U.S. Embassy
personnel in Burundi were authorized to return to Burundi in June 2006.
However, minor children of embassy personnel are still prohibited from
accompanying the employee to Burundi. All travel outside the capital by
U.S. Embassy personnel must be pre-approved by the Embassy's Regional
Security Officer, and many areas of Bujumbura have travel restrictions
for USG personnel. The U.S. Embassy lifted its curfew on U.S.
Government personnel in April 2006, after the Burundian government
lifted the curfew within Bujumbura that had been in effect for decades.
In August 2006, the U.S. Embassy lifted the ban on U.S. Government
personnel flying into Bujumbura at night due to improved security at the
airport and on the airport road. Nevertheless, personnel assigned to
Burundi on a temporary basis may have their visits cancelled or
curtailed with little notice.
Americans who travel to, or
remain in, Burundi despite this Travel Warning are urged to contact the
U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura for information on areas that are off-limits
to U.S. Government personnel for security reasons, and to register at
the State Department's travel registration web site,
https://travelregistration.state.gov.
By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to
contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des
Etats-Unis, telephone (257) 22-34-54, fax (257) 22-29-26.6.
Updated information on travel and security in Burundi
is available at 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, and for
callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
For further information, consult the Consular Information Sheet for
Burundi and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, available
on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at
http://travel.state.gov.
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