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Don’t Travel to Cote d’ Ivoire – U.S Tells Citizens
- By Williams Ekanem
- Published December 22nd, 2010
- Washington File
- Unrated
CONCERNED with the sporadic shootings outside the U.S Embassy in Cote d Ivoire, the United States placed travel embargo on Americans travelling to the West African country.
Reacting to the incident, Philip Crowley, assistant secretary public affairs of the Department of State said, “We remain very concerned about the outbreak of violence in Cote d’ Ivoire. We understand that there are a number of injuries, and as many as 18 have been reportedly killed. The UN operation in Cote d’Ivoire set up a field hospital to treat those who have been wounded. And we deplore the use of violence and, again, call on everyone to remain calm as we continue to work with the international community to help resolve this situation. “
In the travel warning, the Department recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Cote d’Ivoire. The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. This replaces the Travel Warning of December 4, to warn U.S. citizens on the security and political situation in Cote d’Ivoire.
On November 28, Cote d’Ivoire held round two of its Presidential election. Following contested results, both the incumbent and the opposition candidate were sworn in on December 4, 2010. Since then, there have been sporadic demonstrations, violence and deaths. The presidential standoff is in its second week and tensions are heightened as pressure from the United States and the international community increases. The U.S. Embassy cannot rule out anti-American sentiment.
On December 16, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members. U.S. citizens who remain in Cote d’Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should consult the Department of State’s latest Country Specific Information for Cote d’Ivoire and Worldwide Caution.
Meanwhile, sustained gunfire rang out across Cote d’Ivoire’s main city of Abidjan, ahead of a planned march to seize the state broadcaster’s offices by supporters of the internationally endorsed winner of a disputed presidential poll. Wire reports claim four people have been killed as a result of clashes last week.
Reports indicate that heavy weapons have also been fired near the base of Alassane Ouattara, the rival to the highly-criticised leader Laurent Gbagbo who was declared the winner of the poll by the country’s highest legal body.
Ouattara has been declared President-elect by the country’s electoral commission, the UN mission to Cote d’Ivoire, the US, France and the African Union, but Gbagbo remains in control of the army and state institutions.
Reacting to the incident, Philip Crowley, assistant secretary public affairs of the Department of State said, “We remain very concerned about the outbreak of violence in Cote d’ Ivoire. We understand that there are a number of injuries, and as many as 18 have been reportedly killed. The UN operation in Cote d’Ivoire set up a field hospital to treat those who have been wounded. And we deplore the use of violence and, again, call on everyone to remain calm as we continue to work with the international community to help resolve this situation. “
In the travel warning, the Department recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Cote d’Ivoire. The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. This replaces the Travel Warning of December 4, to warn U.S. citizens on the security and political situation in Cote d’Ivoire.
On November 28, Cote d’Ivoire held round two of its Presidential election. Following contested results, both the incumbent and the opposition candidate were sworn in on December 4, 2010. Since then, there have been sporadic demonstrations, violence and deaths. The presidential standoff is in its second week and tensions are heightened as pressure from the United States and the international community increases. The U.S. Embassy cannot rule out anti-American sentiment.
On December 16, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members. U.S. citizens who remain in Cote d’Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should consult the Department of State’s latest Country Specific Information for Cote d’Ivoire and Worldwide Caution.
Meanwhile, sustained gunfire rang out across Cote d’Ivoire’s main city of Abidjan, ahead of a planned march to seize the state broadcaster’s offices by supporters of the internationally endorsed winner of a disputed presidential poll. Wire reports claim four people have been killed as a result of clashes last week.
Reports indicate that heavy weapons have also been fired near the base of Alassane Ouattara, the rival to the highly-criticised leader Laurent Gbagbo who was declared the winner of the poll by the country’s highest legal body.
Ouattara has been declared President-elect by the country’s electoral commission, the UN mission to Cote d’Ivoire, the US, France and the African Union, but Gbagbo remains in control of the army and state institutions.
