Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kidnapping Threat in the Somali Region State of Ethiopia

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa continues to receive information indicating a kidnapping threat to westerners along Ethiopia’s border with Somalia. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to defer travel to the region. If you live in or must travel to this region you should review your security posture and take additional measures to ensure your safety. Due to serious safety and security concerns, U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from traveling to the Somali Region State, although essential travel to the region is permitted on a case-by-case basis, as stated in the currentCountry Specific Information for Ethiopia.

We also take this opportunity to remind you that if you are going to live in or travel to Ethiopia, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa’s web site. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or you can download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android Marketplace, to have travel information at your fingertips., where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts. Read the Country Specific Information for Ethiopia here. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website. If you don’t have internet access, 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 from other countries, 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).

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is located at Entoto Street, P.O. Box 1014. The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached by telephone: +251-11-130-6000 or e-mail: consacs@state.gov, andis open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Our hours for routine consular services, including passport applications and notary services, are 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday.

For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call +251-11-130-6911 or 011-130-6000 and ask to speak with the duty officer.