Department of State Issues Travel Warning for Burundi
Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for international travel. Policies available on squaremouth.com may include terrorism and non-medical evacuation coverage. Below is an update on the travel warning issued for Burundi
On November 8, 2012, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated travel warning for Burundi. Because Burundi participates in peacekeeping missions in Somalia, the terrorist organization, al-Shabaab, has threatened terrorist attacks that may target U.S. interests.
Attacks on foreign visitors are not uncommon. Such crimes include muggings, burglaries, and robberies. Visitors are urged to stay in their cars and be careful when stopped in heavy traffic. U.S. personnel have been prohibited from using public transportation and walking on the streets after dark. Poor resources make it difficult for local authorities to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. U.S. citizens should not travel on highways from dusk to dawn, and should avoid traveling through the city of Bujumbura after midnight.
From the Department of State’s website:
U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Burundi despite this Travel Warning are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura for information on the latest Embassy security guidance, and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) so they 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.
U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des Etats-Unis. The hours for non-emergency American Citizens Services are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Embassy Consular section can be reached by telephone, including for after-hours emergencies, at +257-22-20-7000, or by fax at +257-22-22-2926. Security information for U.S. citizens in Burundi is posted at Embassy Bujumbura’s website.
For further information, consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Burundiand the current Worldwide Caution, available on the Bureau of Consular AffairsInternet website. 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). Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alertsas well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitterand the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebookas well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunesand the Android marketto have travel information at your fingertips.