A nationwide State of Emergency is in place with restrictions related to the conflict. The conflict has potential to escalate and spread quickly and with little warning. There is a military conflict ongoing in northern Ethiopia. You may wish to consider travelling in a party and leaving details of your travel itinerary with a reliable person. You should also consider communications – whilst mobile telephone services are increasingly widespread, connectivity cannot be guaranteed, and there have been multiple examples of mobile internet being closed down with no notice. Medical facilities outside the capital are extremely limited so carry a comprehensive medical pack. There have been instances where buses from one region have been attacked when passing through another. When travelling outside Addis Ababa, you should avoid driving after dark in rural areas: vehicles often have no lights and livestock may be roaming on the roads. If you encounter an unattended roadblock, turn around and don’t attempt to pass it. If you encounter a roadblock you should follow the advice of local authorities at the road block if they are present. If you’re unsure, you should contact local authorities or reputable tour operators in the areas you’re travelling to. However, not all reports on social media channels of such disruptions are accurate. In the past some localised demonstrations have led to temporary closures of roads or the targeting of public transport. You should avoid confrontation and await their arrival to resolve the matter. If you’re involved in a traffic accident you should remain in your vehicle and call the local police. You should be very careful when travelling by car.
#Roadblock clipart drivers
Under Ethiopian law, drivers involved in car accidents can face severe punishments, including custodial sentences and fines. In Addis Ababa, it is advised to only use the metered yellow taxis as these generally have higher standards of maintenance than the blue and white taxis. Road travelĭriving standards and vehicle maintenance are often poor and traffic accidents are a regular occurrence in Ethiopia, especially in Addis Ababa and on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti road. Health and safety precautions like life jackets in boats or protective railings at historical sites are rarely in place in Ethiopia. Even if requested, adequate consular access is not always granted. However, you should be aware that the Ethiopian authorities will not necessarily notify embassies when foreign nationals are detained. This may help if you’re questioned or detained. You should carry copies of your passport and the contact details of the British Embassy Addis Ababa at all times. There’s a risk that this could reoccur – particularly where tensions are heightened (for example around major events, or in locations that might be deemed sensitive for security reasons). There have been a small number of cases of arbitrary detention of British nationals in Ethiopia in recent years. Various parts of the country also have local festivals which can lead to large gatherings, often celebrating Saints days. Large crowds also gather on Ethiopian (Orthodox) Easter Eid Al Fitr Eid Al Arafa and the Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. These include Ethiopian Christmas on 7 January, Epiphany/’Timket’ in January, Victory of Adawa on 2 March, Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day on 5 May, Downfall of the Derg on 28 May, Ethiopian New Year on 11-12 September and The Finding of the True Cross/’Meskel’ in September. Large crowds are common on key national and religious dates.
#Roadblock clipart windows
Consider fitting anti-shatter film to all windows on your vehicle.
Keep car doors locked whilst in your vehicle, and when parking leave your car in a well-lit and guarded area. Be aware of the risk of pickpocketing, bag and jewellery snatching including from vehicles stopped at traffic lights in Addis Ababa. Keep belongings on your person while travelling in taxis, and keep valuables like cameras and passports out of sight.
If threatened, hand over your valuables without resistance. There has been an increase in violent robberies at parks and walking sites in Addis Ababa. Take particular care when visiting crowded public places, especially at night. There has been a smaller number of more serious incidents, including sexual harassment of women and robberies.īe vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance - criminal gangs are known to use distraction techniques including begging or feigning illness. However, the British Embassy has received increased reports of foreign nationals being targeted by groups of youths or scam artists.
Addis Ababa and other major urban areas are comparatively safe compared to many African cities.