Ethiopia Travel Risk Level

Reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Unrest The security situation in Addis Ababa is stable. However, there is sporadic violent, armed conflict, and civil unrest outside of Addis Ababa. The security situation may worsen suddenly without warning. Communications disruptions Internet, cellular data, and phone services are often restricted or shut down before, during, and after unrest. These disruptions affect the U.S. embassy’s ability to communicate with Americans in Ethiopia and delay consular services. Limited consular services for U.S. citizens U.S. government employees working in Ethiopia need special authorization to travel to most locations outside of Addis Ababa due to safety risks. Due to travel restrictions, the U.S. embassy has limited access to U.S. citizens arrested or detained in Ethiopia. Routine consular services are only available at the embassy. Ethiopian law does not recognize dual citizenship. There are often delays in notifying the U.S. embassy of an arrest for dual U.S.-Ethiopia nationals. Exit bans that prevent departure You are subject to local laws. If you break Ethiopian laws – even by mistake – you could face deportation, fines, imprisonment, or an exit ban. Exit bans prevent travelers from leaving. As noted, Ethiopian law does not recognize dual citizenship. Research Ethiopian entry and exit requirements and immigration law if you travel. Dual citizens who have entered Ethiopia on their Ethiopian passports have been heavily fined after government authorities discovered they also held U.S. passports. Ethiopian law treats dual nationals as foreigners. Individuals who obtain their first U.S. passport while in Ethiopia, including children of U.S. citizens born in Ethiopia and documented with a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, should immediately obtain a visa or residency permit. The Ethiopia

Higher-risk regions — Level 4 (Do Not Travel): Some areas of the country carry a higher risk than the country overall.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel Border areas FCDO advises against all travel to within: 20km of the border with Sudan 10km of the border with South Sudan 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns 20km of the border with Eritrea Tigray region FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region. Amhara region FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara region. Afar region FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the border with Eritrea FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the boundary with Tigray region. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Afar. Gambela region FCDO advises against all travel to Gambela region. Oromia region FCDO advises against all travel to: within 10km of the border with Kenya, except for principal roads and towns north of (but not including) the A4 road in West Shewa zone south and west of the A3 road in North Shewa zone, including the A3 road itself in North Shewa West Wollega zone (including the main Addis Ababa to Gambela road), East Wollega zone, Kellem Wollega and Horo Gudru Wollega FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: all of East Shewa zone except the Addis Ababa to Adama Expressway, 10km either side of the Addis Ababa to Adaba expressway between Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, and the A7 from junction with the Addis Ababa to Adama expressway down to Hawassa the A4 road between Addis Ababa and Cheliya, except for the section in the Finfine special zone the remainder of North Shewa zone West Guji and Guji zones (except the Hawassa to Mega road) Somali region FCDO advises against all travel to within: 30km of the Ethiopia-Somalia border in Fafan zone, except the border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road b

Higher-risk regions — Advise against all travel: Border areas FCDO advises against all travel to within: 20km of the border with Sudan 10km of the border with South Sudan 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali…

France Diplomatie : vigilance normale (vert).

Higher-risk regions — Travel formally advised against: (en rouge) Région du Tigré La région est formellement déconseillée. Après deux ans de conflit entre l’armée fédérale éthiopienne et le TPLF (Tigray’s People’s Liberation Front) et malgré la signature…

Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.

Higher-risk regions — Partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung): Auswärtiges Amt: Teilreisewarnung (partial travel warning) — travel advised against for parts of the country.