2008 Warden Message, Number 14

May 15, 2008

This warden message is to alert American Citizens in Zimbabwe that the State Department issued an updated version of the Zimbabwe Travel Alert on May 14, 2008. The text of that message is as follows: 

Begin Travel Alert

This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security concerns throughout Zimbabwe due to ongoing political instability following the March 29 national elections, and recommends deferral of non-essential travel to Zimbabwe at this time.  This supersedes the Travel Alert for Zimbabwe dated April 11, 2008 and expires on July 1, 2008.

U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to Zimbabwe.  While the country prepares for a runoff of the presidential elections between President Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean security forces, including some military and police, as well as so-called war veterans, are creating a climate of intimidation and fear across the country, particularly in rural areas and high-density suburbs.  There have been attacks on opposition supporters, renewed farm invasions, and arrests of election officials accused of vote tampering.  There is a continued risk of arbitrary detention or arrest.

Americans should be particularly cautious when using still, video or telephone cameras in any urban setting, or in the vicinity of any political activity, as this could be construed by Zimbabwean authorities as practicing journalism without accreditation, a crime punishable by arrest, incarceration and/or deportation.

American citizens traveling to or resident in Zimbabwe should register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form online at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Registration enables the Embassy to contact American citizens in case of emergency and provide updates on the security situation.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

We strongly recommend that American citizens register their presence in Zimbabwe via the Internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov  or in person at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, located at 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue (Tel. 263-4-250-593/4/5, email consularharare@state.gov).  In the event of an after-hours emergency, please call the above number and ask to be transferred to the duty officer.

We will continue to provide information to you via email, text message, the internet and Voice of America radio broadcasts (909 on the AM dial or on Shortwave at 4930, 13755 or 15775 Khz) as events unfold. You are always welcome to contact us at the phone, fax and email numbers listed above.

Embassy of the United States of America, Harare, Zimbabwe, Phone: (263) 4-250-593, Fax: (263) 4-250-343, Email: consularharare@state.gov Website: http://harare.usembassy.gov