Threat from Al-Shabaab against Ethiopia and western interests in Ethiopia

Threat from Al-Shabaab against Ethiopia and western interests in Ethiopia

The U.S. Embassy
Posted to the web on May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) –– The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa would like to remind U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ethiopia to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to enhance personal security. The Embassy continues to receive credible threat reports of Al-Shabaab’s intent and capability to attack Ethiopia and western interests in Ethiopia. In recent weeks, there have been several incursions along the Ethiopian-Somali border. While there is no known specific information regarding the timing or location of an attack, we would like to remind U.S. citizens to be especially vigilant in areas where large numbers of U.S. and western citizens congregate, including restaurants, hotels, bars, places of worship, supermarkets, and shopping malls.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Ethiopia enroll in theDepartment of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings &, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Ethiopia. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 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). Follow us on Twitter; andFacebook; to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa; is located at Entoto Street, P.O. Box 1014. The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached by telephone: +251-111-306000 or e-mail at, and is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call +251-111-306911 or 011-130-6000 and ask to speak with the duty officer.