Breaking News that International Travelers Need to Know!

This Travel Warning was issued on April 22, 2008, to update American citizens on security conditions in Burundi.  American citizens should exercise caution while traveling in the country.  The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of its personnel in Burundi, and certain areas of the capital, Bujumbura, are off-limits.  This supersedes the Travel Warning for Burundi dated December 10, 2007.

The Department of State continues to caution U.S. citizens traveling to Burundi.  Burundi was plagued by a civil war from 1993 to 2006 that often involved non-government, non-combatant targets.  In September 2006, the government and the last remaining hold-out rebel group from the peace process, the PALIPEHUTU–FNL, signed a cease-fire agreement.  Many of the cease-fire provisions have not been implemented and the rebels still retain the capability to conduct indirect fire attacks on the capital.  In April 2008 rebel forces engaged Burundian military units just outside of Bujumbura city limits.  Rebels are still present throughout Bujumbura Rural, which surrounds the capital city.

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Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits or street children, poses the highest risk for foreign visitors to Bujumbura and Burundi in general.  Common crimes include muggings, burglaries, robberies, and carjackings.  Visitors should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic due to the threat of robbery by roving bands of criminals.  The U.S. Embassy has received reports of armed criminals ambushing vehicles, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura.  U.S. Government personnel are restricted from walking on the streets during hours of darkness, and prohibited from using local public transportation.  Due to insufficient resources, local authorities in any part of Burundi are often unable to provide timely assistance in case of need.

The U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of Embassy personnel and certain areas of the capital, Bujumbura, are off-limits to Embassy personnel.  In addition, the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer must pre-approve all travel outside the capital by U.S. Embassy personnel, and employees must travel in two-vehicle convoys.  The Embassy recommends that Americans not travel on national highways from dusk to dawn.

Crime, often committed by groups of armed bandits, poses a high risk for foreign visitors in Bujumbura and Burundi in general.  Common crimes include muggings, burglaries, and carjackings.  Armed criminals often ambush vehicles, particularly on the roads leading out of Bujumbura.

Adult dependents of U.S. Embassy personnel in Burundi were authorized to return to Burundi in June 2006.  However, minor children of embassy personnel are still prohibited from accompanying the employee to Burundi.  All travel outside the capital by U.S. Embassy personnel must be pre-approved by the Embassy's Regional Security Officer, and many areas of Bujumbura have travel restrictions for USG personnel.  The U.S. Embassy lifted its curfew on U.S. Government personnel in April 2006, after the Burundian government lifted the curfew within Bujumbura that had been in effect for decades.  In August 2006, the U.S. Embassy lifted the ban on U.S. Government personnel flying into Bujumbura at night due to improved security at the airport and on the airport road.  Nevertheless, personnel assigned to Burundi on a temporary basis may have their visits cancelled or curtailed with little notice. 

Americans who travel to, or remain in, Burundi despite this Travel Warning are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura for information on areas that are off-limits to U.S. Government personnel for security reasons, and to register at the State Department's travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura at Avenue des Etats-Unis, telephone (257) 22-34-54, fax (257) 22-29-26.6. Updated information on travel and security in Burundi is available at 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, and for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, consult the Consular Information Sheet for Burundi and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov.