This
information is current as of today, Thursday Jan 20 08:42:25 2005.
LIBERIA
July 30, 2004
This Travel Warning is being issued to update security
information on Liberia. The Department of State continues to urge American citizens to
defer non-essential travel. This supersedes the Travel Warning of January 7, 2004.
There is no effective police force in Liberia
at this time, and UNMIL peacekeepers likely will not be fully deployed for
several more months. On December
7, 2003, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) began its
disarmament program, through which armed combatants exchange their weapons for
payment. The influx of personnel to that site resulted in increased incidents
of armed robbery in the area of the weapons collection zone. Subsequent
disarmament exchanges have gone more smoothly, but the potential for volatility
remains.
The disarmament program is expected to
continue for many months, at multiple sites throughout the country. For the
immediate future, more occurrences of localized violence are possible,
particularly in and around disarmament sites.
Although
the Department of State lifted the Ordered Departure status for non-emergency
employees of the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia in September 2003, the Department of State continues
to urge U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Liberia.
The US Embassy has imposed restrictions on travel outside Monrovia
by personnel due to security concerns. Private Americans who remain in or
travel to Liberia
despite this Warning should avoid travel into the interior of the country. The
situation in Monrovia and other
areas outside the zones of conflict remains unpredictable, and resident
Americans are urged to exercise caution in their activities. Airlines continue
limited flights into and out of Monrovia,
although this may change periodically.
The
frequency of armed clashes between factions has dropped steeply since the end
of the 2003 conflict. Sustained fighting has not occurred for some time.
However, despite successful peace talks and deployment of ECOMIL forces earlier
in 2003 and UNMIL forces in October, low-intensity fighting between various
armed factions could flare up in the countryside unpredictably. Due to the
fighting, principal roads to Sierra Leone
and Guinea, and
from Monrovia to western Liberia,
are sometimes closed.
Travel over many roads has become prohibitively dangerous. There is
also a growing threat of violent crime in Monrovia
and elsewhere.
The
security situation in general, both government and rebel roadblocks, and the
lack of reliable communications systems in Liberia limit the Embassy''s
ability to provide assistance to U.S. citizens outside the Monrovia area.
U.S.
citizens in Liberia
should be aware of their surroundings at all times and use caution in
traveling. Travel anywhere after dark is strongly discouraged.
Owing to the potential for violence, U.S.
citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, street demonstrations, and any
gathering of security forces. Americans should report any threats or suspicious
activity to the Embassy in Monrovia
and monitor the local media for developments that may affect their safety and
security.