Ethiopia: Fighting blocks road between Babile and Harar Aug. 10

Event

The United States Embassy in Addis Ababa reported that a portion of the main road from Addis Ababa to Jijiga is impassible due to the presence of security forces on the road between the cities of Babile and Harar. The embassy also reported intense fighting and gunfire in that area. Further information on the cause of the fighting is not immediately available and details are still emerging. ​Travel disruptions in the area should be anticipated.

Context

Ethiopia has been dealing with an unstable security situation due to anti-government protests and threat of terrorism linked to the Somalia-based group Al-Shabaab.  On August 4, the government lifted a nationwide state of emergency, which was instituted in October 2016 after months of anti-government protests, primarily in the Oromia region. Reports indicated that some 25,000 people were arrested in recent months for taking part in the protests while the state of emergency was in effect. The Defense Minister declared that the state of emergency was needed to bring "lasting peace," while the opposition has accused the government of using it as a tool to clamp down on demonstrators.

Advice

Individuals in Ethiopia are advised to remain vigilant at all times, to monitor developments to the situation, and to avoid travel in the area surrounding Babile and Harar until the situation has stabilized.

On a more general note, due to the terrorist threat linked to the Somalia-based group Al-Shabaab, the majority of Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the Ogaden region and other areas along the border with Somalia, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the Ethiopian Somali region. The Eritrean, Sudanese, South Sudanese, and Kenyan borders are also considered high-risk destinations.