Conflict, Kidnapping, and military activity among reasons why Canada is advising citizens to avoid non-essential trip to Ethiopia
Borkena
Toronto – Canada has issued a travel advisory warning citizens to avoid travel to Ethiopia unless an essential one.
“Avoid non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to civil unrest, violence, armed conflict and crime. The security situation can deteriorate without warning,” the government of Canada issued this week in the Travel Advice section of its website.
The advisory is mostly to the parts of the country where there is an active conflict.
The capital Addis Ababa is excluded from the travel advisory while exercising “high level of caution,” is advised. The government of Canada explained its advisory in connection with Addis Addis Ababa in terms of “high crime rate and the risk of spontaneous demonstrations becoming violent.”
With the out of control and crushing cost of living for millions of citizens and deepening repression, there has been anticipation of popular protest in Addis Ababa and other towns.
The Ethiopian government has conducted a series of crackdowns in the capital over the past few months including under the guise of security arrangement for a food security conference which was attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The government of Canada also made a reference to the ongoing armed conflict in different parts of Ethiopia. The travel advisory tends to send signals about something spontaneous which could spread to major cities. “Ongoing armed conflict and civil unrest in other parts of the country could spread to major cities without warning,” it said.
The advisory also warned that accessibility to consular assistance could be restricted in some areas of the country. It said, ” Our ability to provide consular assistance is limited in some regions.”
The travel advisory pretty much covers most parts of the country : Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Tigray, Gambella, Sidama, Oromia ( North Shoa, Wes Shoa,West Wollega and East Wollega, Qellem Wollega and Horoguduru) are the areas the government of Canada is advising citizens to avoid.
The Ethio-Eritrean border is also included in the list of areas unsafe for travel. Banditry, military activity, kidnapping, risk of terrorist attacks , violence and landmines are among the reasons why the government of Canada thinks the border area is unsafe for travel.
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There you have it. Traveling to that country is going to be even more dangerous in the coming years as it continues to be haunted by armed thugs. Kidnapping for ransom money is reported to be spreading and it is going to be worse in the coming years unless everyone comes to his senses and sort things out peacefully. I have been preaching this to the choir since the 1970’s. Haven’t I?