Warden Message: Ouagadougou Flare-Ups Possible

Consular Affairs Bulletins

Sub-Saharan Africa - Burkina Faso
21 Dec 2006

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U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou issued the following Warden Message on December 21:

Due to the security situation in Ouagadougou, Americans in the city should continue to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary travel. Although some areas of Ouagadougou appear to be calm at the moment, there is concern that the conflict could flare up again, particularly after nightfall.

According to reports from private sources and local authorities, the conflict between the local police and the military has not yet been resolved. Reports indicate at least four of Ouagadougou's eight police commissariats were attacked last night and that approximately 600 prisoners were released from a jail in the Zone du Bois area of Ouagadougou. At the present time, the airport is continuing to operate; however, we have received reports that some stores and gas stations in Ouagadougou have closed for the day.

U.S. citizens should carry a copy of the bio-data (picture) page of their passport with them at all times, as local authorities have increased identification checks within town. In the past, persons holding no form of identification have been held in jail overnight.

In addition, the Embassy strongly encourages all citizens to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy. If you would like to update your registration, please send us a copy of your passport, telephone number, and email address to the fax number or email address listed below. If neither fax nor email is available to you, please call the embassy with your updated contact information. While you may register online at https://travelregistration.state.gov, emailing or faxing your information directly to us will ensure that we have your contact information as quickly as possible so that you will be included in direct distribution of warden messages in the immediate future.

Americans should monitor local news sources and look for additional updates from the embassy as details become available. Due to some delays in the local internet system, we encourage you to share this information with other Americans in country who may not have received this message.

The Recreation Center and the American Language Center will be closed until December 26, 2006 unless you are otherwise notified.

U.S. Citizens with any additional information regarding this or any other security incident are strongly encouraged to contact the Embassy at 50-30-67-23 or 50-31-26-60.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenue John F. Kennedy and the mailing address is 01 B.P. 35, Ouagadougou. The telephone numbers are (226) 5030-6723/24/25, Monday to Thursday (0730-1700), Friday (0730-1230); (226) 5031-2660 or 5031-2707 after hours; fax number (226) 5031-5273; email: ouagaconsular@state.gov.  Further information on travel to Burkina Faso is located on the Embassy web site at http://ouagadougou.usembassy.gov.