Sub Saharan Africa

Terrorism/Security

There is a high threat from terrorism in Ethiopia, including in Addis Ababa.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. These include government buildings, major hotels and Addis Ababa and Embassies.

 

You should remain extremely vigilant at all times in public places, particularly at transport hubs, checking this Travel Advice at regular intervals. There remains a risk of similar attacks on petrol stations.

Explosive devices, such as grenades, are readily obtainable throughout Ethiopia and are occasionally used during local disputes.  There is a risk of British nationals and other foreigners becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks.

Because of ongoing military activity and lawlessness in the Somali region, we advise against all travel to the Fik, Degehabur, Gode, Korahe and Warder zones. We also advise against all but essential travel to Jijiga town, due to the risk of being caught up in a bomb attack following a number of incidents in the last 24 months, and recommend against overnight stays unless in secure accommodation.  Recent incidents (in addition to those above) include:

There has been continuing unrest, sporadic violence, banditry and inter-tribal clashes in the West and South of the Gambella region.  Although the situation is improving, it remains unpredictable and we advise against all travel outside of Gambella town.

In the past, groups affiliated with terrorist organisations have also been active in other border states, including Tigray, Oromiya, and Afar. On 13 March 2008 eight people were killed and 11 seriously injured when a bomb exploded on a public bus travelling from Humera to Shire.  On 1 March 2007, a group of western tourists and their tour guides were abducted by an armed group in the Danakil Depression. They were subsequently released.  On 20 February 2008 the Ethiopian government reported that the police had foiled the attempted kidnap of a group of foreign tourists travelling in the region (see Local Travel below for further details).

You are reminded to remain vigilant with your personal security and to exercise caution.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Petty theft/mugging is common particularly in the Piazza or Mercato areas of Addis Ababa and is on the increase in other areas. You should exercise particular caution when visiting crowded public places and keep valuables, particularly cameras and passports out of sight.  Be aware of bag and jewellery snatching, pick-pocketing and opportunistic snatching from vehicles stopped at traffic lights in Addis Ababa.

For more general information see Victims of Crime.

Political Situation

Ethiopia Country Profile

There were serious disturbances in Addis Ababa and other towns across Ethiopia following disputed elections in 2005. Since then the security situation has been generally calm although politically-motivated violence, whether in Addis Ababa or elsewhere in Ethiopia, could flare up again.  Universities in Addis and elsewhere are often a source of tension and there were a number of violent incidents in April 2006.

You are advised to remain prudent and keep a low profile, avoid public demonstrations and remain vigilant in public places throughout the country.

Local Travel

Independent travellers should keep themselves abreast of local and international news.  You should avoid driving after dark in rural areas: vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be roaming the roads.  This also presents a risk to pedestrians, who should remain vigilant at all times.

North & East Ethiopia

The Danakil desert: We advise against all travel to the Danakil desert bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djibouti road and the Ethiopian-Eritrean border. A number of landmines have exploded in the Danakil in April 2009, including on the road between Afdera and Logia. In the latest incident a tourist vehicle travelling to Erta Ale (the active volcano) hit a landmine on 15 April, killing two Ethiopians and injuring a foreign tourist.

On 1 March 2007, a group of western tourists and their tour guides were abducted by an armed group near lake Asele in the Danakil Depression region in North Eastern Ethiopia. Five of those abducted were released on 13 March. The others were released on 23 April 2007.  On 20 February 2008 the Ethiopian government reported that the police had foiled the attempted kidnap of a group of foreign tourists travelling in the region.

Tigray and Afar: With the exception of the main roads through Axum and Adigrat, we advise against all travel within 50kms of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions, which remain a predominantly military zone. On 13 March eight people were killed and 11 seriously injured when a bomb exploded on a public bus travelling from Humera to Shire.  Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are high and the border remains closed.  Since the relocation out of Eritrea of the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNMEE) in March 2008, the risk of cross-border tensions increasing and the security situation deteriorating very rapidly has sharpened.  You should exercise extreme caution if you intend to travel on the road from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, including travelling via Asaita, due to its historically high number of road traffic accidents.

Somali Region: We advise against crossing the Ethiopia/Somalia or Somaliland border by road. Since the mid-1990's, insurgent groups, some affiliated with terrorist organisations, have clashed with government forces in the Somali Region, particularly in the Ogaden. Since April 2007 there has been an increase in the violence. We advise against travel to the Fik, Degehabur, Gode, Korahe amd Warder zones of the region where rebels groups are active and the situation remains volatile. We also advise against all but essential travel to Jijiga town and recommend against overnight stays unless in secure accommodation.  (See Terrorism/security section above). On 20 September 2006, ICRC confirmed that two aid workers were kidnapped near Gode who were subsequently released.  It is not clear who was responsible for the abduction.

South & West Ethiopia

We advise against all travel to areas off the principal roads/towns within 50 kms of the areas bordering Sudan and Kenya.  Along the border with Kenya cross-border banditry related to the drought in the region have increased.  Armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several areas near the border with Kenya.

If crossing into Kenya or Sudan, keep to the main road and seek advice from local authorities about travelling in convoy. If travelling overland to Kenya via Moyale, we recommend that you also consult the FCO Travel Advice for Kenya.

Gambella: For the time being we continue to advise against all travel outside of Gambella town  due to the risk of banditry and inter-tribal clashes in the West and South of Gambella region. The situation is improving but remains unpredictable (see Terrorism/Security section above).

Beneshangul-Gumuz:  During May and June 2008 there has been an increase in inter-tribal clashes in the region, including along the main road from Nekemte, Oromiya Region. On 16 April 2008 a commercial bus was set alight on the road from Shokole to Kurmuk resulting in numerous casualties.  We advise against all but essential travel along this road at the current time.

Air Travel

Since 1 November 2005, all airport departure taxes for international flights departing Ethiopia and for internal flights within Ethiopia are included in the price of airline tickets.

For more general information see Airline Security.