Eritrea 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Safety and Crime Environment

The U.S. Embassy Asmara continues to receive reports of violent crime in Eritrea.  According to Eritrean police, local sources, and other diplomatic contacts, there continues to be an increase in street crimes, pick-pocketing, robberies, residential burglaries, vehicle break-ins, and assaults.  There have also been an increase in the number of incidents involving emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs) in parts of Asmara where Westerners live, eat, and frequent.  These EDPs have assaulted Westerners and Eritreans in the past.  The Regional Security Office continues to receive reports of break-ins at both Western and Eritrean residences.  Thus far they have been limited to residences that do not have a 24/7 guard presence.  There have been no break-ins at any U.S. Embassy residences in several years.  Hotels have generally proven to be safe for visitors.

The road conditions on the primary roads in the city of Asmara are generally adequate but the overall condition of the secondary roads continues to decline and residents in many neighborhoods have taken to filling potholes themselves.  Driving in Asmara can be hazardous due to the many pedestrians and bicyclists who seem oblivious to the vehicle traffic.  As gas has become increasingly expensive, the numbers of bicyclists has increased dramatically.  Pedestrian and bicyclist behavior changes little at night and safety items such as lights and reflectors are seldom used.  Vehicles frequently travel without using headlights at night in an effort to save gas. Motorists should use extreme caution during hours of darkness.  Roads outside of Asmara are in poor condition and except for the major ones between cities, unpaved.  The roads are winding with numerous switchbacks, steep embankments, and no shoulders.  The Asmara-Massawa road is notorious for horrific accidents due to the heavy truck traffic and blind corners.  For several months during the winter, fog on the most mountainous stretches of the road reduces visibility to near zero, particularly in the afternoon and evening.  The embassy recommends that travel outside of Asmara be undertaken only during daylight.

Political Violence

Reports continue regarding Eritrean expression of anti-American sentiments directed at both Americans and other Westerners who are perceived to be Americans.  The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) continues to run anti-American articles in its state owned/controlled media. However, the majority of Eritreans do not appear to be anti-American.  As in any foreign setting, visitors to Eritrea must remain aware of their surroundings at all times and avoid confrontational events whenever possible.

Regional Terrorism and Organized Crime:  The GSE has reported their officials have been victims of attacks in northern and western Eritrea by indigenous groups such as the

Eritrean Islamic Jihad or other dissident groups supported by Ethiopia and Sudan.  There are continuous reports of explosions due to unknown individuals placing mines along roads outside of Asmara. The United Nations (UN) and the U.S. government have travel restrictions prohibiting their personnel from going to dangerous areas.

U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border, as well as non-essential travel to the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, including the port of Assab. Since April 2008, large numbers of Eritrean troops have been deployed along the northeastern border of Djibouti. 

Although Eritrea and Sudan have diplomatic relations, the procedures for crossing their common border are not clear and subject to change.  Overland travel between the two countries is dangerous and ill-advised.  Travelers crossing from Eritrea to Sudan north and west of the Keren-Barentu road risk becoming victims of banditry or Islamic extremist insurgent activity.  Several incidents were reported in 2007, apparently involving insurgents or criminals in this area.  The U.S. Embassy also received reports of sporadic bombings of vehicles and government facilities in the Gash Barka region near Sudan in 2007 and 2008.  If travel near the Eritrean-Sudanese border is essential, travelers should consult both the Eritrean authorities and the U.S. Embassy in advance. 

International or Transnational Terrorism

The GSE has provided sanctuary for members of the former Islamic Courts Union (ICU) inside Eritrea, including Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who serves as a leader of the rebel Islamist group, Hizbul Islam. The GSE reportedly has provided regional groups such as the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM), the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) with a wide range of logistical support such as Eritrean passports.  Eritrea’s long, porous land border with Sudan and an extensive border on the Red Sea are cause for concern due to limited security resources at the disposal of the GSE to patrol these borders.

Civil Unrest

Widespread civil unrest and disorder would be met with brutal force by the GSE.  There have been no demonstrations against any U.S. Government facility in recent history.

Post-specific Concerns

Landmines, including ones that were newly laid in 2008, and unexploded ordinance litter the countryside and cause sporadic injuries and death.  Although some de-mining efforts have taken place, areas that are not well-traveled, especially in the north and west, are potentially dangerous. The embassy recommends checking with local government and village officials before undertaking travel to remote areas or off main roads.  Travelers should exercise extreme caution and avoid secondary roads. 

Increased military tensions along the Eritrean borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti continue to be high, and both sides have massed over 100,000 soldiers each along their shared border.  In June 2008 there were military skirmishes between Eritrea and Djibouti.  U.S. Embassy Asmara has issued Travel Advisories advising Americans to avoid these border areas. There have been sporadic reports of fighting between forces and reports of landmine explosions in these areas.

Travel Restrictions

The GSE issued a decree in May 2006 that restricts all foreigners, including diplomats, to Asmara unless travel permits are obtained ten days in advance.  The difficulties in obtaining travel permissions in a timely manner, or at all, severely limit the U.S. Embassy's ability to respond to U.S. citizen emergencies outside of Asmara.  In recent months, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of difficulties experienced by U.S. citizens (official and private) in obtaining visas to travel to Eritrea.  Visas cannot be obtained at the Asmara International Airport for most visitors and not without explicit approval by the GSE. Travelers are advised to allow adequate lead time when applying for a travel visa and should contact their nearest Eritrean Embassy for updated information on application and wait times.

The GSE does not notify the U.S. Embassy in cases of U.S. citizen detention, in violation of Vienna Convention obligations.  American citizens of Eritrean origin are particularly vulnerable in cases of detention or emergency, as the Eritrean government has stated it does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of dual nationals, regardless of whether the individual travels on an Eritrean or U.S. travel document.  In several instances, the U.S. Embassy has only become aware of an incident involving a U.S. citizen long after the incident occurred.  Visitors are advised to consult the latest Consular Information Sheet and Travel Warning for Eritrea before planning travel.  This information can be found on the State Department's website at http://www.state.gov.

Police Response

If visitors encounter detention or harassment from the Eritrean police or Eritrean National Security Organization (ENSO), they should immediately report the incident to the Embassy's Consular Section and request guidance.  Bilateral relations between the GSE and the U.S. government are poor and Eritrean officials (including police officials) refuse to meet with Embassy officers.  The Embassy's interaction with Eritrean police is extremely limited.

The Eritrean police have been responsive when victims of crimes have requested assistance.  However, the Embassy may not be notified by the GSE in the case of a U.S. citizen emergency nor may it be able to access U.S. citizens in order to render assistance outside of Asmara.  The Eritrean police are poorly trained and lack essential resources such as radios and vehicles.  In the past, Embassy Local Guard Force members have had to pick up Eritrean police and transport them to the scene of crimes involving Embassy personnel.  There is no rapid response to any crime reporting.  Investigative abilities by the Eritrean police are extremely basic and usually ineffective.

Crime Prevention unit:  291-1-12-52-29

Investigations unit:  291-1-11-54-02

Airport Security:  291-1-18-66-04.

1st Police Station:  291-1-127-799

2nd Police Station:  291-1-116-219

3rd Police Station:  291-1-114-942

4th Police Station:  291-1-159-159

5th Police Station:  291-1-151-118

6th Police Station:  291-1-115-551

7th Police Station:  291-1-186-370

Medical Emergencies

Medical facilities in Eritrea are inadequate by U.S. standards and are extremely limited.  The Embassy medical policy is to stabilize and evacuate.  However, evacuation options are extremely limited.  A medical evacuation by private air ambulance requires an arrangement with off-shore companies and may take several days to arrange through the Eritrean authorities.  Travelers are recommended to get adequate air ambulance evacuation insurance prior to arrival.

Travelers must bring their own medical supplies or prescription drugs and preventive medicines.  Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health care services.  Malaria is prevalent in the coastal areas and in the western lowlands.  Malaria prophylaxis is recommended when traveling to these areas.  The following is a list of the most important medical contact numbers for Asmara. Travelers should check with the American Citizen Services Section at the U.S. Embassy for the most current information.

Orota Hospital:  291-1-201-917 and 202-914

Sembel Hospital:  291-1-150-175

Selam Poly Clinic:  291-1-200-946 and 124-610

SOS USA:  1-800-523-6586

SOS London International:  00-44-20-8762-8133

SOS Geneva:  00-41-22-785-6464

Nairobi Air Ambulance:  00-254-2-315-454

Tricare Europe Chief - Healthcare Operations: 00-49-6302-67-6312 or 6362

Travel Precautions

Armed robbery is rare in Asmara.  Westerners and Embassy employees have been the victims of petty crimes and assaults in recent months.  Americans and Westerners are perceived as being wealthy and as lucrative targets particularly as the Eritrean economy continues to worsen.  Emotionally Displaced Persons (EDP’s), vagrants, and beggars are becoming increasingly aggressive and belligerent toward Westerners perceived as wealthy. Visitors and residents are encouraged to exercise vigilance in their personal security measures as they would in any big U.S. city. Visitors should avoid flashing large sums of cash in crowded public areas.  Eritrean law prohibits visitors from exchanging currency with unregistered street moneychangers and provides stiff mandatory penalties, including incarceration, for violators.

Further Information

Contact Numbers for the U.S. Embassy:

Embassy Main and After-hours:  291-1-12-00-04

Regional Security Officer:  291-1-12-43-67

American Citizen Services:  291-1-12-03-42

Foreign Commercial Service:  Not present.

OSAC Country Council

There is no formal OSAC Country Council in Asmara.  However, the Regional Security Officer regularly meets with security officials from other diplomatic missions to share information.