Political updates

Egypt: President Declares State of Emergency

Date: January 30th, 2013 |

President Morsi declared a month-long state of emergency Jan. 26, after political unrest escalated into violent street protests that left 52 people dead. Soldiers have been deployed to the three main cities on the Suez Canal where the latest rash of protests erupted—Port Said, Ismailia and Suez—and central Cairo and Alexandria remain volatile. Anti-government sentiment [read more]

Mali: Travel Warning issued over Tense Political Situation

Date: April 11th, 2012 |

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The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning addressing current political instability, a rebellion in the north, and continued threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners in the north. Due to these concerns, the Peace Corps has evacuated all of its members from Mali and the Embassy has authorized all non-emergency personnel to leave. [read more]

Somalia: International Flight to Mogadishu first in 20 Years

Date: March 7th, 2012 |

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Turkish Airlines has begun operating flights to Mogadishu airport, the first commercial airline to visit the war-torn country in 20 years. Flights are scheduled for twice a week and are designed to make travel easier for businesspeople and members of the Somali diaspora. Residents of Mogadishu view this as a positive step for the country [read more]

Egypt: 31-year-old Emergency Laws Lifted in some Cases

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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In a manner of speaking, military rulers have lifted the 31-year-old emergency laws that gave police far-reaching powers. The emergency powers can still be used to combat crimes committed by “thugs,” a term that the military failed to define. Rights groups and pro-democracy activists in the country have already voiced disdain for the declaration’s ambiguity. [read more]

Korean Peninsula: Kim Jong Il’s Death Leaves Region on Edge

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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The death of North Korea’s enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Il, leaves in his place his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, a fair amount of uncertainty and a peninsula on high alert. As North Koreans adjust to their leader’s death, the South Korean government has put its military on high alert while simultaneously instructing citizens to [read more]

Mexico: 100 People Injured in Inaugaration Protests

Date: December 5th, 2012 |

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At least 100 people were injured when violent protests broke out at the Dec. 1 inauguration of President Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City. Groups of masked men attacked security forces, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, and vandalizing several local businesses. Traffic in the already congested capital remained gridlocked for hours as riot police used [read more]

Senegal: Second Round of Voting could Bring Unrest

Date: March 7th, 2012 |

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The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert surrounding the second round of voting in the presidential elections scheduled for March 25. Though the first round of voting proceeded peacefully, the potential for civil disturbances and unrest remains high. In fact, though the first round of voting was calm, violent protests erupted in the [read more]

Bahrain: Travel Alert about Violent Demonstrations

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert about the ongoing possibility for violent demonstrations throughout Bahrain. In recent months, all travelers have faced increased scrutiny trying to get into the country and Bahraini officials have denied entry to some U.S. citizens. Traveling within the country can become dangerous without notice, as clashes between security [read more]

Cote d’Ivoire: Travel Warning due to Civil Unrest

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning citing the potential for civil unrest because several months of demonstrations have raised security concerns. Although the situation has recently stabilized, the Embassy continues to operate as a partially unaccompanied post, meaning minor dependents of Embassy workers are not permitted to travel with family members to or [read more]

Peru: State of Emergency due to Demonstrations

Date: December 10th, 2011 |

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A two-month state of emergency, which suspends certain constitutional rights such as freedom of assembly, association and circulation, and gives security forces the right to search homes at will, has been instituted in the provinces of Cajamarca, Celendín, Hualgayoc and Contumazá. The security measure is a reaction to demonstrations against the new Conga gold mine [read more]

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