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Travel Warning U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs Eritrea

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea and strongly recommends U.S. citizens defer all travel to the country. This replaces the Travel Warning for Eritrea

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea and strongly recommends U.S. citizens defer all travel to the country. This replaces the Travel Warning for Eritrea of November 29, 2012, to update information on additional travel restrictions, and to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Eritrea.

The Eritrean government continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals. These restrictions require all visitors and residents, including U.S. diplomats, to apply 10 days in advance for permission to travel outside Asmara’s city limits. Permission is rarely granted. As a result, the U.S. Embassy is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency consular assistance outside of Asmara.

Travelers should also be aware that travel permits are valid for the approved final destination only, and do not allow for additional stops along the way to or in the proximity of the approved destination. In addition, travel to religious institutions, for example, monasteries, requires separate travel permission even when such facilities are located in or near approved destination cities. Foreign travelers not adhering strictly to the terms of travel permits have reported being detained by law enforcement authorities, and their drivers have been jailed.

A number of U.S.-Eritrean dual citizens have been arrested and some are currently being held without apparent cause. Once arrested, detainees may be held for extended periods without being told the reason for their incarceration. Conditions are harsh – those incarcerated may be held in very small quarters without access to restrooms, bedding, food, or clean water. The Eritrean government does not inform the U.S. Embassy when U.S. citizens, including those who are not dual nationals, have been arrested or detained. Should the U.S. Embassy learn of the arrest of a U.S. citizen, the Eritrean government rarely allows consular access, regardless of the reason the U.S. citizen is being held.

Starting in 2012, the Government of Eritrea began arming its citizens with automatic rifles, forming citizen militias. These armed civilian militias patrol at night and are ordered to check individuals for documentation. You should carry appropriate documentation with you at all times. Those not carrying documentation of their identity and military status may be subject to round-ups, sometimes by armed persons. U.S. citizens should use extreme caution when encountering armed persons.

In observance of the Independence Day holiday of May 24, travelers will notice an increase in the presence of military and police personnel throughout Asmara during the months of April and May. It is during these two months that military and police personnel most frequently check documentation.

The Eritrean government-controlled media frequently broadcasts anti-U.S. rhetoric, and has done so repeatedly since December 2009, when the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) first imposed sanctions on Eritrea. Anti-U.S. messages scripted by the current regime, which often appear as cover stories in the sole English-language state-run newspaper in Eritrea, have grown even stronger since UNSC sanctions were strengthened in December 2011.

Although there have been no specific incidents of violence targeting U.S. citizens, U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution, stay current with media coverage of local events, and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and the Southern Red Sea region. U.S. citizens should be aware of the presence of large numbers of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and of political and military tensions between the two countries. In March 2012, Ethiopian troops attacked three locations approximately 10 miles inside Eritrean territory. In January 2012, a group of tourists was attacked in Ethiopia not far from the Eritrean-Ethiopian border. Five tourists were killed and four others kidnapped. In May 2010, 13 people were injured when a bomb exploded on a bus just over the border in Ethiopia. In April 2010, a bomb near the border in Ethiopia killed five people and injured 20. In January and February 2010, skirmishes between Eritrean and Ethiopian troops resulted in military fatalities. Although Eritrean forces have withdrawn from disputed territory at the border with Djibouti, tensions in this area remain high.

U.S. citizens on ships and sailing vessels are strongly advised not to sail off the Eritrean coast or to attempt to dock in Eritrean ports, refuel in Eritrea, or travel through Eritrean waters. U.S. citizens are also urged to avoid remote Eritrean islands, some of which may be used for Eritrean military training and could therefore be unsafe. The Eritrean government does not issue visas to persons arriving by marine vessel.

Piracy on the Red Sea continues to occur. Recreational vessels are strongly encouraged to avoid the region entirely, and commercial vessels without explicit agreements with Eritrean authorities are urged to avoid Eritrean territorial waters. There have been incidents involving the seizure of ships attempting to refuel at the Port of Massawa by the Eritrean government as late as the spring of 2012. These seizures have resulted in lengthy detentions of international crew members, including U.S. nationals. Though the incidents were ultimately resolved and both ships and crew released, the concern for future seizures is ongoing. U.S. citizens are cautioned that commercial/tourist ships are not allowed to dock at Eritrean ports, even to refuel.

If transit around the Horn of Africa is necessary, vessels should travel in convoys, maintain good communications contact at all times, and follow the guidance provided by the Maritime Security Center – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA). U.S. citizens should consult the Maritime Administration’s Horn of Africa Piracy page for information on maritime advisories, self-protection measures, and naval forces in the region.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious problem throughout the country. There are reports of accidents and incidents in which vehicles or people occasionally detonate mines. Many detonations occurred on relatively well-traveled roads in and near the Gash Barka region of western Eritrea; subsequent investigations indicated that several mines were recently laid. In September 2011, press reported that a vehicle in Senafe, 60 miles south of Asmara, ran over a landmine; five people were killed and another 34 injured in the incident. Vast areas of the country still have not been certified free of mines and unexploded ordnance following the 30-year war for independence and the subsequent 1998-2000 conflict with Ethiopia. You should avoid walking alone and hiking in riverbeds or areas that local government officials have not certified as safe.

U.S. citizens choosing to travel to Eritrea despite this Travel Warning must obtain an Eritrean visa before their arrival. Persons arriving in Eritrea without a visa are generally refused admission and returned on the next flight back to their point of origin. However, the Embassy is aware of persons being jailed for several months after arriving without a visa. The Embassy urges U.S.-Eritrean dual citizens to obtain an Eritrean visa in their U.S. passport before traveling to Eritrea and to enter the country as U.S. citizens. U.S.-Eritrean dual citizens who enter Eritrea with an Eritrean ID card may find it difficult to obtain the required visa to legally exit the country. The Embassy is aware of numerous cases in which U.S.-Eritrean dual citizens have not been permitted to leave the country. The Embassy cautions travelers not to stay beyond the period of time granted at the time of admission by Eritrean Immigration.

Crime in Asmara has increased as a result of deteriorating economic conditions accompanied by persistent food, water, and fuel shortages, and rapid price inflation. The combination of forced, open-ended, low-paying, national service for many Eritreans and severe unemployment leads some Eritreans to commit crime to support their families. Eritrean authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate crime or prosecute perpetrators.

Modern telecommunications options are limited in Eritrea and cannot be counted upon in an emergency. International cell phone service plans do not work on Eritrean networks. Local cellular phone service is tightly controlled by the Eritrean government and difficult to obtain. When available, international cell phone calls are extremely expensive and only available using pre-paid minutes. Internet cafés are rare and hours are limited. Internet service is limited and slow, and generally does not support Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype.

The U.S. Embassy in Asmara strongly encourages U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Eritrea despite this Travel Warning to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so you can receive the most up-to-date security information. Please keep all of your information in STEP current. It is important when enrolling or updating information to include multiple phone numbers and email addresses to facilitate communication in the event of an emergency.

The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Asmara, though closed for most visa services, is open for all U.S. citizen services between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or by appointment. The U.S. Embassy in Asmara is located at 179 Alaa Street, P.O. Box 211, Asmara; telephone 291-1-12-00-04, available 24 hours in case of emergency; fax 291-1-124-255 and 291-1-127-584.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 for callers 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). You can also stay up-to-date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Google play store, to have travel information at your fingertips.

Travel Warning  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE  Bureau of Consular Affairs  Eritrea

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75 COMMENTS
  • ማሊሻ May 11, 2013

    This is an indication that the political and security situation in Eritrea is deteriorating. Every time the Americans are releasing such warnings, the Asmara regime harasses and jails the poor Eritreans working for the US Embassy in Asmara.

  • sabbe May 11, 2013

    Wait wait wait and wait I thought the relationship between Eritrea and USA was improving according to HGDF supporters, wey guud MaEt tserfi kwerd Eyu hji zweredom America.

    • Awet May 11, 2013

      Sabbe:
      The regime supporters rules are written in pencil, hence, can be erased day to day. I guess the regime will be going all out at United Stated. Watch out US DIA has a chemical weapon just like NK, he might attack.

      The mafia regime is so cornered, there is no way out. The days are numbered.

  • Yerihiwo May 11, 2013

    Things are getting worse and worse as you can read in US travel warning!!! Everything is getting tighter and tighter for the Dictator from Tembien. Amnesty report, UN Human right watch and now this travel warning. Prepare to face justice Dictator Isaias Afwserki and your puppets like Monkey, Kisha and Charlie who happen to be all from Tigray!

    Higdef was using the addition of staff members in US Embassy as normalization of relation even though the American Officials said in VOA things remain the same. America won’t side with a dictator who kills and destroys innocent people.

  • A.A YASSIN May 11, 2013

    Malisha=Sabbe=Yerihiwo,

    Ugum, what don’t you mind your own business.

    • Awet May 12, 2013

      AA Tassin:
      You are a true agame like DIA and yes man high ranking officials. People like you and the mafia regime don’t have the Eritrean people interest at heart. The problem is identity crises. You and the like have no place in FREE Eritrea. Eritrea only for Eritreans. News wrap up:
      1. I guess we know now Ali Abdu has defected.
      2. Where is Sophia Tesfamariam? Has the dictator instructed her to tone down?
      3. Why are the regime supporters afraid to sit down with the regime opposers and debate?
      4. Is the regime things his human right records are inline with the international law, why not allow entery to interview and see prison conditions?
      5. Do many bad news coming from the country. I have a family member that just came back from Eritrea. He exchanged his dollar $1 dollar $50Nakfa . Living standard aweful, sanctions are really hurting the regime and people. Electric shortage is aweful. He said many nights electric went off in the middle of dinner. The list goes on and on….

  • josef May 12, 2013

    Hell on earth.

  • Kalighe May 12, 2013

    == A foolish way of doing business with neighbors ==

    “Global Financial Integrity last year said Addis Ababa lost $11.7 billion in outflows of illegal funds in the past decade.”

    Kabbire, NEW HOPE and few more Tigrayans on this forum have been trying their best to tell us that, Ethiopia is the last Utopia of Democracy on planet.
    However, this latest news opens up a tip of an iceberg of Ethiopian underworld business dealings.
    It’s true that Eritrea has a brutal regime, but who is to blame ?, why these people have to insult the country and it’s people, unless motivated by boundless hate.
    These small men who pose here and on Asmarino as Eritreans, could be Tigrayans who lived for a while in Eritrea, they have too much hate cannot be explained easily.
    It’s important to note here that, many issues they raise are divisive and loaded with insults to Eritrea and it’s people. They seem to forget that the dictator and the top most echelon of the fascist regime in Eritrea is made of Tigreyans who suffer from identity crisis.
    Needless to say, that Ethiopia is a developing country, like every African country who has just started to experiment with Democracy, it can also fail. But we Eritreans wish them only well and success on their journey to achieve Democracy.
    On the other hand, we want our Tigrayan friends to know that, there is a long way for them to go before they can start selling their system to us, they are not yet there. Besides, no one buys a product with insults, it could be a marketing ala ‘Mekele’ but it’s a foolish way of doing business with neighbors.

    • A.A YASSIN May 12, 2013

      “These small men who pose here and on Asmarino as Eritreans, could be Tigrayans who lived for a while in Eritrea, they have too much hate cannot be explained easily.”

  • A.A YASSIN May 12, 2013

    These small men who pose here and on Asmarino as Eritreans, could be Tigrayans who lived for a while in Eritrea, they have too much hate cannot be explained easily.

  • tess May 12, 2013

    this is a year old news this was written November 29 2012 why now because to many Eritreans are going home to their home Country and May 24 even the new comers from the city i live in there about the are ready to go please Asenna do not old trick

  • ahmed saleh May 12, 2013

    Governments campaign through advertisements to attract tourism because it is one of the main resources
    of income to the economy . But our arrogant politicians do not have capability to know how financial
    enterprise perform on international standards . They stuck their head on that old box hole of self
    reliance slogan for too long . At this moment to refresh their mind become difficult because of age factor .
    Means , those who run the country are old enough with no more energy left to look alternatives on a way out
    from their mess .

    • Tamrat Tamrat May 12, 2013

      This is the work of CIA to terrorize those million eritreans who come to cellebrate the independency of Eritrea and stay in Eritrea for good. This year is speciall. All eritreans who go to Eritrea have decided to stay in Eritrea to show the world that Eritrea do not depend od on remittance. So by staying in Eritrea they crush the dream of the supper powr usa.

      • ahmed saleh May 12, 2013

        Well I can not say anything except GOD SAVE ERITREA AND SHED A LIGHT TO THE BLINDNESS OF OUR PEOPLE .

      • Ghenet May 12, 2013

        if they decide to stay in a country with no electricity and water and very little food, who loses? USA?
        I hope they also decided to go to sawa. Mother nature will get rid of them immediately!

        • Tamrat Tamrat May 12, 2013

          Hi, i was being sarcastic!

  • Thomas May 12, 2013

    Poor Eritrea, Most isolated Nation, hub of crises in Africa. The dictator is achieving his ill concived objectives

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