African Union Summit 7-10 Feb

African Union Summit related activities will occur February 7-10, 2020. With the planned events, arrivals of Heads of State and their movements around the city, please anticipate traffic congestion, road closures, and lane restrictions for VIP convoys. Expect police stop and search checkpoints for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on routes around or near the AU and hotels where VIPs are staying. Heads of State may visit their respective embassies, resulting in unexpected road closures or roadblocks in the surrounding areas.

The Addis Ababa Police Commission announced the following roads will be closed/blocked during the noted time period. Parking will not be allowed on these roads. Embassy personnel are advised to avoid the locations/areas/routes below:

• From Bole Airport to: Millennium Hall, Meskel Square, National Palace, St. Gabriel Church, Sheraton Addis, Arat Kilo, and the National Theater;
• the African Union and its surrounding areas and roads;
• the route from Parliament to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Meskel Square to Bole Airport;
• the route from Parliament to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Mexico Square; and
• the route from Parliament to the National Palace to the National Theatre/Ministry of Defense.

This is not an all-encompassing list of routes and locations. This map (ctrl+click on hyperlink) shows real-time traffic flow/congestion around Addis Ababa, highlighting some of the locations listed.

Additional Recommendations:

• Do not photograph security forces or the search process.
• Avoid non-essential road movements in the areas listed.
• Remember that opportunistic crime increases during public events.
• If your safety is at risk, move to a secure location and, call Post One immediately at 011-130-6911.

Coronavirus Update

While the WHO and other authorities have classified the Coronavirus a global health emergency, according to our sources, there are still NO confirmed cases of the virus in Ethiopia.  Screenings at Bole International Airport and other border crossing will continue.

Here are some articles for your reference.

• WHO Situation Report for    February 3, 2020
• NYT:  “Wuhan Coronavirus Looks Increasingly Like a Pandemic, Experts Say”
• CDC: The most recent (Feb1) situation summary offering a detailed narrative on both USA and Global concerns.

Timket (Epiphany) Holiday in Addis Ababa: January 19-21

Due to the Timket holiday on Monday, January 20 various religious activities, road closures, and pedestrian congestion is expected throughout the city, especially around Orthodox churches and routes between churches. Movement throughout the city should be minimized throughout the weekend.

Holiday event schedule:

Sunday January 19 at 12:00hrs: Thousands of participants expected to gather at Timkete-Bahir (Sidist Kilo, traffic circle directly south of embassy).

Sunday January 19 from 14:00 to 19:00: Arch covenants movement to Timkete-Bahir. Expect many roads throughout the city to be blocked and crowded with pedestrians.

Monday January 20 from 10:00 to 15:00: Arch covenants movement from Timkete-Bahir to respective churches. Expect many roads throughout the city to be blocked and crowded with pedestrians.

Tuesday January 21 from 10:00 to 13:00: Arch covenants movement from Saint Michael churches to Timkete-Bahir and then back to the Saint Michael churches. Expect many roads throughout the city to be blocked and crowded with pedestrians, particularly near Sidest Kilo and Shola Gebeya (the road from British embassy to Megenana will be affected).

• There will be an increased police presence in the city due to holiday activities.
• Road blocks/closures will occur throughout the city. Police vehicle searches may also occur throughout the city. Comply with local police direction if your vehicle is chosen to be searched. Do not photograph the police or the search. Carry your Ministry of Foreign Affairs card and a copy of your passport.

Please be sure to safeguard your passport during travel, especially in Bole International Airport.  There have been recent reports of passports being stolen inside the international terminal.  These incidents include U.S. passports stolen from carry-on bags, including purses, after deplaning and before the traveler reaches passport control at immigration.  Please do not carry your passport in your back pocket; it makes an easy target.

Just a reminder of the events happening in Addis and within the region as you may be planning local travel.

Irreecha (Oromo Thanksgiving) Celebrations, October 4- 6, 2019:

• October 4, 2019 Carnival – Addis Ababa
• October 5, 2019 Irreecha celebrated in Addis Ababa at Meskel Square
• October 6, 2019 Irreecha celebrated in Bishoftu (Debre Zeit)

Leading up to the Carnival on Oct 4, officials are anticipating a large influx of people traveling from the Oromia region into Addis Ababa.

Saturday will be the busiest time around Meskel and Addis Ababa, which will impact travel in and around the city, as well as to and from the airport. Avoid traveling across the city.

Friday night airport will likely be busy, but accessible.

Saturday will be a time for participants to travel from Addis Ababa to Bishoftu for Sunday’s gathering in Bishoftu. Monday is anticipated a return to a normal work-week.

There is a chance that demonstrations may occur throughout Addis Ababa, as Irreecha is happening for the first time in Addis Ababa in a very long time.

Amhara Region – “no-go” zone for the Fall break

In Gondar, there was an incident involving one ethnic group who shot the driver of a bus and others on the bus who were traveling from West Gondar through a neighboring city, where that ethnic group resided. Passengers on the bus were NOT part of that group, hence the conflict for some reason. The result was that the youth in Gondar found a bar owned by the same ethnic group who shot at the bus and people on the bus, and destroyed the bar. The police and army intervened in that disturbance too, and are now a strong presence in Gondar and have restored order with their presence. Gondar is a “no-go” zone for now over October break.

Actions to Take:

• Reconsider travel in and around these areas.
• Remain aware of your surroundings, including local events.
• Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations; monitor local news stations; and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Plan extra time getting to the airport on Friday and Saturday.

We are receiving information that demonstrations are taking place in different parts of the country. Although the demonstrations are peaceful they could turn violent. So if you are planning to travel within Ethiopia during this break, please check with ICS security before you travel.

There have been a number of incidents around Addis recently that we want to make you aware of:  There have been reports of foreigners being robbed in the middle of the day. One incident took place in front of Bambi’s Supermarket, in front of the EU and behind the British Embassy.  There are other reports of a group of people pretending  to be Police Officers and attempting to enter residences in Old Airport.

In response to the above incidents, it is highly recommended to follow these recommendations;

• Avoid walking alone and be aware of surroundings/remain alert at all times
• Avoid the woods/forests outside Addis – several incidents have reported from those places
• At night, avoid dark streets and places frequented by street boys
• Do not carry or expose valuables when in public.
• Brief your security guards about security situations.
• When driving, ensure your windows are closed and doors locked – apply defensive driving at all times
• Park your vehicle in secured parking spaces and do not leave attractive items inside
• If attacked, do not resist if you are not in a position to defend yourself – Use common sense; Your life is more important than your wallet/belongings
• Do not hesitate to call for help and try to reach the nearest Police Station or your respective organization.

For your information:

We are hearing of increased incidents of muggings/attacks on foreigners in Addis Ababa specially at night.

Please be sure to:

• Avoid walking alone at night
• Know your surroundings
• Be aware of who is around you
• Keep to well lit and well populated areas

The Ethiopia Public Health Emergency Management Directorate is investigating a probable yellow fever outbreak in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR).  To date, there have been 32 suspected cases and 9 deaths reported in Offa Woreda in the Wolaita Zone. Everyone who has not been vaccinated against yellow fever is advised to avoid travel to the affected area.

 Below are the recommended Actions to Take:

1. Get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days prior to travel to an affected area. The Black Lion Hospital has the vaccine available.

2. Consult a medical professional if you have recently been in an affected area and have symptoms of yellow fever. The time from infection until illness is typically 3 to 6 days. Common symptoms are as follows:

• Sudden onset of fever
• Chills
• Severe headache
• Back pain
• General body aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Weakness
• Severe symptoms are high fever, yellow skin, bleeding, shock and organ failure.

3. For more information, visit the website on yellow fever at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/yellow-fever

The majority of people infected with the yellow fever virus will either not have symptoms or have mild symptoms and completely recover. Once you have been infected, you are likely to be protected from future infections.