U.S. Government Issues Updated Travel Advisory Over Kidnappings, Exit and Photo Bans

The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for anyone contemplating travel to Ethiopia, adding additional risks to consider before taking a trip to the African country.

While the Level 3 status—which warns those to “reconsider travel” to the area—remained the same, on April 1, the government added more “risk indicators” for the region, including exit bans and communication disruptions.

Overall, travel thre isn’t suggested right now for a number of reasons, including “unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans.”

The African nation is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Rock-Hewn Churches and Simien National Park.

Exit Bans Explained

One of the two new risk factors to consider are exit bans, which prevent travelers from leaving the country.

The State Department warns that anyone who breaks immigration laws in Ethiopia could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or slapped with an exit ban. The local government, they add, will “strictly” enforce bans on Americans with unpaid immigration fines.

Those fines could soar up to $100,000.

Additionally, the country doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, with the U.S. telling Americans not to enter the country with an Ethiopian passport, and advising them to research local law before travel.

Communication Disruptions Explained

The other new risk to consider is communication disruptions.

Per the State Department, internet, cellular data, and phone services can be spotty in the region—adding that they are “often restricted or shut down before, during, and after unrest.”

Such breaks can affect the U.S. embassy’s ability to “communicate with Americans in Ethiopia and delay consular services.”

The embassy is located in the capital, Addis Ababa. While the U.S. says the situation there is stable, there is “sporadic violent armed conflict and civil unrest in other areas of Ethiopia,” which could worsen at any moment without warning.

Additional Risks of Travel to Ethiopia

While these are the two newest risks of travel to the area, they aren’t the only issues to consider before heading there.

A number of regions are affected by armed conflict, unrest, and crime, as well as kidnapping, ethnically motivated violence, and landmines. Those areas, which you can see in full here, are on the “Do Not Travel To” list.

The U.S. government warns of petty crime, purse snatching and pickpocketing in popular tourist areas, as well as violent crime after nightfall. Terrorists have also “targeted foreigners for kidnapping,” with the highest ransom issued in the Gambella, Benishangul Gumuz, Somalia border, Sudan border, and South Sudan border areas.

Per Fox News, tourists are also reminded it’s illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, police/military personnel, and key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, and airfields. Travelers could also be detained, imprisoned, or fines for transporting ivory, while some souvenirs—like copies of religious artifacts—may be confiscated.

Government employees working in the country also need special authorization to travel to a number of regions due to safety risks, while all travelers are urged to check out the Travel to High-Risk Areas website for more information.