Updated information on safety, security, and lack of adequate healthcare.
\nExercise increased caution due to crime, health, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
\nDo Not Travel To:
\nCrime continues to be a major public security concern in Côte d’Ivoire. Violent crime, such as carjacking, robbery, and home invasion is common. Local police often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
\nExtremist activity occurs frequently in the tri-border region of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali.
\nTravelers should avoid demonstrations, protests, political rallies, and large crowds, as they can escalate into violence. Clashes among demonstrators or between protestors and security forces may occur with or without warning. Police and security forces may disperse crowds using tear gas or other coercive measures, including force.
\nPiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom pose significant threats to U.S. flagged vessels transiting or operating off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire.
\nHealth care in rural areas is below U.S. standards and there are often shortages of medicine and medical supplies in public health facilities and in many medical facilities.
\nThe U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Abidjan. Embassy personnel are prohibited from driving outside the cities after dark, including between Abidjan, Grand Bassam, and Assinie.
\nRead the country information page for additional information on travel to Cote d’Ivoire.
\nIf you decide to travel to Côte d’Ivoire:
\nNorthern and Northeastern Border Region – Level 4: Do Not Travel
\nThe main terrorist threat in Côte d’Ivoire comes from al-Qa’ida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). JNIM mainly operates in the Sahel region, including neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, but its threat has extended across the Burkinabe border with northern and northeastern Côte d’Ivoire. Attacks have occurred in Savanes and Zanzan Districts, notably encompassing Comoe National Park. These attacks were primarily targeted at Ivoirian security forces though civilians have occasionally been targeted. Attacks in the north of the country began to show an increased level of sophistication and coordination, to include improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting police. In 2021, Al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) carried out 17 small-scale attacks that claimed approximately 20 lives. There were no attacks in 2022.
", "pubDate": "Thu, 03 Aug 2023", "country": "Cote d Ivoire"}