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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 061918 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC ASEC IV
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - COTE D'IVOIRE 
 
¶1.  This Travel Warning updates information on safety and 
security concerns in Cote d'Ivoire and continues to urge 
U.S. citizens to exercise extreme caution while traveling 
in Cote d'Ivoire.  This supersedes the Travel Warning 
issued December 5, 2007. 
 
¶2.  Cote d'Ivoire continues to experience periodic 
episodes of political unrest and violence, sometimes 
directed against foreigners, since a 2002 failed coup 
attempt evolved into an armed rebellion that split the 
country in two.  Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and New 
Forces leader Guillaume Soro signed the Ouagadougou 
Political Accord (OPA) in March 2007 and a new government 
was formed with Soro as Prime Minister (PM).  Although 
implementation of the accord is ongoing, the political 
situation has not fully returned to normal.  In December 
2007, rebel-controlled Bouake, the largest city in 
northern Cote d'Ivoire, experienced rioting by disaffected 
rebel soldiers and para-military forces, as well as 
fighting between opposing factions within the rebel 
movement amid rumors of a coup attempt.  Travel for the 
local population was severely restricted during these 
periods, and two employees of the Embassy were evacuated 
by UN forces to a safehaven.  Both UN and French 
peacekeepers remain in the country. 
 
¶3.  Given the sometimes tense and potentially volatile 
security situation, the Department of State urges American 
citizens to exercise extreme caution should they travel to 
Cote d'Ivoire, and to take special care when traveling 
outside Abidjan.  In February 2008, Embassy personnel and 
other international organizations were prevented from 
traveling to and from western Cote d'Ivoire due to rioting 
by government soldiers.  Americans planning travel to Cote 
d'Ivoire despite this travel warning should consult the 
Embassy and/or their host organizations for the most 
recent security assessment of the areas to where they plan 
to travel.  Increases in food and oil prices could provoke 
impromptu strikes and/or demonstrations.  Crime poses the 
highest risk for foreign visitors in Abidjan, including 
mugging, robbery, burglary and car jacking.  Visitors 
should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic or at 
impromptu roadblocks due to the threat of violent robbery. 
Land routes to neighboring countries are open, although 
overland travel to Liberia and Guinea is strongly 
discouraged, and caution is urged when crossing into Mali, 
Burkina Faso, and Ghana. 
 
¶4.  Long-delayed presidential elections have been 
rescheduled for November 30, 2008.  Americans traveling to 
Cote d'Ivoire should follow political developments 
carefully, as there is a potential for violence in the 
run-up to and aftermath of elections. 
 
¶5.  The Department of State continues to prohibit minor 
dependents from accompanying U.S. government employees 
assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan.  Embassy 
employees are asked to be cautious when traveling within 
Abidjan and to avoid travel outside of the city at night. 
Private Americans are urged to follow the same 
guidelines.  U.S. Embassy personnel must obtain prior 
approval before traveling more than 35 kilometers outside 
Abidjan.  Some of those requests may be denied, or multi- 
vehicle convoys may be required for security reasons.  The 
Embassy encourages American employees to ensure that they 
have several days' worth of cooking fuel, food, and water 
at home, and that their vehicles are fully fueled. 
 
¶6.  The U.S. Embassy is located in the Riviera Golf 
neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan.  The 
Embassy may close to the public temporarily from time to 
 
STATE 00061918  002 OF 002 
 
 
time in response to security developments.  U.S. citizens 
who remain in, or travel to, Cote d'Ivoire despite this 
Travel Warning should consult the Department of State's 
latest Country Specific Information for Cote d'Ivoire and 
the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert at 
http://travel.state.gov.  Americans should register with 
the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form on-line 
at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/hom e.asp, by 
calling (225) 22-49-40-00, or faxing (225) 22-49-42-02. 
Americans in Cote d'Ivoire who need assistance should 
contact the Embassy at (225) 22-49-40-00. 
 
¶7.  Current information on safety and security can also be 
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United 
States, or for callers outside the United States 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). 
 
¶8.  Minimize considered. 
RICE