Ethiopia Travel Advisory (22.12.2024)
In light of several violent clashes that occurred on August 2023 and continue from time to time during 2024 in Gondar district and Amhara region between armed local groups and the federal security forces, the roads to and from Gondar were blocked and even the airport in Gondar was closed. Israelis staying in the districts of Gondar, Volo and Jojam are asked to stay at home, take care of their availability on mobile phones, take maximum precautions and contact and update about their situation through the Israeli Embassy in Addis or through the situation room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is also recommended to avoid traveling to Amhara district and neighboring cities in the district. Israelis who plan to go to Ethiopia in general and the areas mentioned above in particular in the near future, are asked to consider their arrival and stay updated through the media and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before leaving until the situation is clarified.
On January 26, 2023, the state of emergency in Ethiopia declared in November 2021 was lifted, and the government announced a return to normalcy. However, the situation in the country continues to be unstable due to power struggles between local armed groups and the federal government. It is recommended to consider reports of violence and instability, crime, traffic disruptions and roadblocks, disruptions in telephone and internet reception and potential for terrorism in the border areas.
In light of this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends considering travel throughout the country. Before traveling to Ethiopia, it is important to examine the existing conditions in the various regions. It is recommended to avoid land traffic between the cities.
It is recommended not to enter an area of 10 km from the borders of Ethiopia-Eritrea, Ethiopia-Sudan, Ethiopia-Kenya and Ethiopia-South Sudan. You must obey the instructions of the security forces and avoid gatherings and demonstrations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to emphasize that the decision whether to visit the areas mentioned above and/or to stay in them is at the discretion of each person and is their sole responsibility. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify in this context that in terms of Israeli law, there is no prohibition to visit the indicated areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends continuing to monitor any new developments in Ethiopia.
