Political uprisings

Kenya: Political Crisis, Violence Continue

Date: January 30th, 2008 |

Violence stemming from Kenya’s disputed presidential election continued to plague the country, especially in the Rift Valley. Naivasha, a town popular with tourists and expatriates just 55 miles northwest of Nairobi, was overrun by murderous gangs over the weekend and tourists had to be escorted to Nairobi from nearby lodges. The killing of an opposition [read more]

Kenya: Post-Election Violence Plagues Country

Date: January 2nd, 2008 |

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Several days of violence following disputed national elections occurred in Nairobi, the Rift Valley and the coastal resort of Mombasa, prompting the U.S State Department to discourage all but essential travel to Kenya, and the British Foreign Office to warn against travel to several specific areas, including downtown Nairobi. Some 300 people have been killed, [read more]

Pakistan: Emergency Rule Creates Uncertainty

Date: November 9th, 2007 |

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A political crisis triggered by President Pervez Musharraf’s declaring a state of emergency has created a volatile situation whose course is uncertain. The move suspended the country’s constitution and shut down the judicial system. Demonstrations by lawyers and others opposing the president’s action have been met with force, and thousands of lawyers were arrested. Demonstrations [read more]

Bolivia: U.S. Citizens Will Need Visas Dec. 1; Demonstrations in Sucre

Date: September 12th, 2007 |

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Beginning Dec. 1, Bolivia will require U.S. citizens to obtain a visa to enter the country at a cost of $134 for 30 days. President Evo Morales called the new policy “a matter of reciprocity” because the U.S. charges Bolivians $100 for a visa plus $14 to process the application. U.S. tourists will also be [read more]

Israel and Palestinian Territories: Hostilities between Hamas and Fatah

Date: December 26th, 2006 |

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In an announcement released Dec. 21, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem urged U.S. citizens to defer all travel to the West Bank and Gaza because of hostilities between Fatah and Hamas factions that could produce armed conflict and potentially violent demonstrations. Violence between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip and the West [read more]

Kenya: Post-Election Crisis Continues

Date: January 10th, 2008 |

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The post-election violence that raged for several days diminished and a reconciliation appeared to be developing between the incumbent president and opposition leader, both of whom feel they are the duly elected president of Kenya. Everything unraveled again, however, Jan. 8 when incumbent President Mwai Kibaki unilaterally named several cabinet ministers to the government. Riots [read more]

Bolivia: Unrest Prompts Call for Referendum

Date: December 6th, 2007 |

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Political strife between President Evo Morales’ ruling party and the opposition threatens to tear the country apart as a constitutional assembly tries to draft a new constitution by its deadline of Dec. 14. Violent demonstrations have occurred in Sucre and the Amazonian town of Cobija. Tensions are high and more violence is possible, including blocking [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Pull Out of Government, Troubles in Terai

Date: September 19th, 2007 |

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Maoists pulled out of the coalition government in a dispute over abolishing the monarchy, raising concerns that the fragile peace in Nepal could be in jeopardy. The former rebels have vowed not to take up arms again but to press their demands through peaceful demonstrations. They have argued that the monarchy should be abolished before [read more]

Zimbabwe: Tourists Killed by Elephant; Political Crisis throughout the Country

Date: March 28th, 2007 |

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A British mother and daughter were killed by an angry bull elephant when they were on a walking safari in Hwange National Park March 24. They were accompanied by an armed guide and professional hunter but the guide missed when he tried to shoot the charging elephant. The woman and 10-year-old girl were trampled, and [read more]

Fiji: Military Stages Coup

Date: December 5th, 2006 |

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After a year of political tension, the military staged a bloodless coup Dec. 5 and took control of the country. A state of emergency is in effect and military checkpoints have been established in Suva. The city was calm on the day of the coup, but unrest is possible. Defer non-essential travel to Suva until [read more]