Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

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This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 24 17:02:00 2006.

NIGERIA

February 17, 2006

This Travel Warning is being re-issued to note the deteriorating security situation in the Niger Delta region.  It supersedes the Travel Warning for Nigeria issued January 20, 2006.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria.  The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers.  Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country.

The security situation in the Delta region has deteriorated significantly.  Travel to the region remains very dangerous and should be avoided.  On January 11, 2006, one American and three other expatriates aboard an oilfield service vessel were kidnapped off the coast of Bayelsa State.  Over the last several months, the region has been subjected to a series of attacks on oil company facilities that may be coordinated and have resulted in the death of over twenty security personnel.  A militant group claiming responsibility for the recent kidnapping has made public threats against oil company employees and their families, demanding they leave the region. 

In recent months, Lagos and Abuja have also witnessed spikes in crime.  Some expatriates have been robbed in the outlying Lagos suburb of Lekki, and in Abuja, the Maitama area has seen a series of home invasions.  In a working class section of mainland Lagos, an October 2005 clash between police and residents left several dead.  Even Victoria and Ikoyi Islands, which are generally safer than other parts of Lagos, have experienced attempted bank robberies, and have seen an increase in smash-and-grab car robberies, including some involving expatriates. 

Religious tension between some Muslim and Christian communities results in occasional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning.  The states of Kano and Kaduna are particularly volatile.  Rival ethnic groups have clashed violently in the Niger Delta region around Warri city and in Southeast Plateau State.  Senior al-Qaida leadership has expressed interest publicly in overthrowing the government of Nigeria.  Links also were uncovered connecting Nigerians to al-Qaida in 2004.  

Road travel is dangerous.  Robberies by armed gangs have been reported on rural roads and within major cities.  Travelers should avoid driving at night.  Because of poor vehicle maintenance and driving conditions, public transportation throughout Nigeria can be dangerous and should be avoided.  Taxis pose risks because of the possibility of fraudulent or criminal operators, old and unsafe vehicles, and poorly maintained roads.  Road travel in Lagos is banned between 7:00 and 10:00 AM on the last Saturday of every month for municipal road cleanup; police vigilantly enforce the ban.

Most Nigerian airlines have aging fleets, and maintenance and operational procedures may be inadequate to ensure passenger safety.  Domestic passenger airliner crashes in October and December 2005 resulted in numerous deaths.  Because international flights tend to meet higher safety standards than domestic Nigerian flights, travelers should attempt to get direct international flights to/from their Nigerian destination, rather than transiting another Nigerian city such as Lagos.  For domestic travel between Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, the U.S. Government encourages its employees to use Virgin Nigeria Airlines or Aero Contractors. 

Some Nigeria-based criminals conduct advance fee fraud and other scams that target foreigners worldwide.  These fraudulent activities pose great risk of financial loss.  Recipients traveling to Nigeria to pursue such fraudulent offers have been subject to physical harm, and local police authorities are often unwilling to help in such cases.  No one should provide personal financial or account information to unknown parties.  Under no circumstances should U.S. citizens travel to Nigeria without a valid visa -- an invitation to enter Nigeria without a visa is normally indicative of illegal activity.  Furthermore, the ability of U.S. Embassy officers to extricate U.S. citizens from unlawful business deals and their consequences is limited.  Persons contemplating business deals in Nigeria are strongly urged to check with the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of State before providing any information or making any financial commitments.  See the Department of State's publications “Tips For Business Travelers To Nigeria” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_2113.html, and “Nigerian Advanced Fee Fraud” at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/africa/naffpub.pdf.

Americans who travel to Nigeria despite this Travel Warning should obtain the latest health information before departing the U.S.  The websites of the U.S. Center for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov and the World Health Organization at http://www.who.int have up-to-date information on outbreaks of contagious and tropical diseases.  Americans considering travel to Nigeria should also read the Department’s Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html and consult with their personal physicians concerning avian influenza.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Nigeria are strongly advised to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  Periodically, travel by U.S. mission personnel is restricted based on changing security conditions, often due to crime, general strikes, or student/political demonstrations or disturbances.  U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for up-to-date information on any restrictions.  The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria can be contacted by phone at [234](9) 461-4000.  American citizens may contact the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos at 011 [234](1) 261-1215 during business hours.  For after-hours emergencies call [234] (1) 261-1414, 261-0195, 261-0078, 261-0139, or 261-6477.  You may also visit the embassy’s website at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for Nigeria, the Department's brochure, Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are located on the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
 

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

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This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 24 17:03:38 2006.

ALGERIA

February 15, 2006

This Travel Warning is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in Algeria.  The security environment in some rural and remote areas continues to pose a significant security risk.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of July 21, 2005.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria despite this Travel Warning to evaluate carefully the risk posed to their personal safety while in-country.  Although Algiers and most urban centers have not experienced terrorist activity in over a year, sustained small-scale attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnapping and murder occur in rural and remote sections of the country. Overland travel between major cities should be avoided at night. 

The Department of State cautions U.S. citizens traveling in the mountainous northern regions as well as the southern regions near Tamanrasset to use reputable travel agents and tour guides.

The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria to take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support.  This support should include being met upon arrival and accompanied for the duration of the visit.  Visitors should ensure that tour operators and host organizations perform all notifications and coordination with Algerian police and security officials during their stay.  Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided.  All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices.

Americans who travel to or remain in Algeria despite this Travel Warning are urged to register and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Algeria at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Algiers or on our travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/.  The Embassy is located at 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, B.P. 408 (Alger-Gare) 16000, in the capital city of Algiers.  The Embassy can be reached at telephone [213] (21) 691-425; [213] (21) 691-255; [213] (21) 691-186; or fax [213] (21) 693-979.

Updated information on travel and security in Algeria may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Algeria, the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
 

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

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This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 24 17:03:59 2006.

SUDAN

February 06, 2006

This Travel Warning provides updates on the security situation in Sudan, warns American citizens against all travel to Sudan, and reminds them of continued terrorist threats aimed at Western and U.S. interests.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of August 5, 2005.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Sudan.  Although the two parties to the long-running civil war signed a peace accord in January 2005 to end the war, travel in the south is still dangerous in many locations.  Violence continues throughout Darfur, creating a serious humanitarian crisis.  Some violence has also been noted in the eastern areas bordering Eritrea.

As noted in previous Travel Warnings for Sudan, the U.S. Government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Sudan.  Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings.  U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, which include tourist sites and locations where westerners are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or Western interests.  As physical security remains high at official facilities, terrorists may turn towards softer targets, such as residential compounds.

Sporadic fighting instigated by militias is often reported in the southern parts of the country.  Travel outside of the capital city of Khartoum is potentially dangerous.  Threats have been made against foreigners working in the oil industry in Upper Nile state.  Travel into southern Sudan requires a visa and a specific travel permit.  As a result of violence and banditry, the United Nations has declared many parts of Darfur “No-Go” areas for UN personnel.  Due to the potential for banditry and general lawlessness in rural areas, land travel at night should be avoided.  The U.S. Government is seriously concerned about aviation safety throughout Sudan.

There have been demonstrations in Khartoum against United States foreign policy in the past.  In some instances, demonstrators have thrown rocks at the U.S. Embassy and Westerners.  Americans should avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, is severely limited.  Information on services available for American citizens can be found on the web site of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo at http://www.usembassy.egnet.net/sudan.htm.

U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Sudan despite this Warning are urged to register their presence via the Internet at the State Department’s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov .  U.S. citizens may also visit the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum to register and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Sudan.  The Embassy in Sudan is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum.  The mailing address is P.O. Box 699, Khartoum, Sudan.  The telephone number is (249) 183-774-701 (0183-774-701 inside Sudan); fax (249) 183-774-137 (0183-774-137 inside Sudan).  The after-hours emergency number is (249) 183-774-705 (0183-444-705 inside Sudan).  The workweek in Khartoum is Sunday through Thursday.

American travelers to southern Sudan are also urged to register via the Internet with U.S. Embassy Khartoum, or directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Embassy in Kenya is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20) 363-6000; fax (254)(20) 363-6410.  The after-hours number for the Embassy duty officer is (254)(20) 363-6170.  The Embassy's international mailing address is P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi, Kenya.  Mail with U.S. domestic postage may be sent to the Embassy at Unit 64100, APO AE 09831.

Additional information on Sudan may be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Sudan and the East Africa Public Announcement , both on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  Updates to security conditions may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from all other countries.