The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Eritrea, warning British nationals to stay away from military areas and stay indoors in a crisis, as tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia remain high.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, providing new information on local security measures. The FCDO has adjusted its travel guidance for Eritrea on Monday, April 27, as the summer holiday period approaches.
The FCDO cautioned: “There are periodically reports of conscription surges and mobilisation of reservists in Eritrea, connected to regional instability of the Horn of Africa.
“Security measures may be in place around Asmara and other regions of Eritrea. Get advice from your host, accommodation or travel operator. Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. The security situation could change with little notice.
“Stay away from areas that are close to security/military installations or activity. Security/military locations can change, so seek local advice where possible.”
The FCDO continues to advise against all travel within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders, reports Birmingham Live.
It further states in its guidance: “Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. If a crisis develops in Eritrea, the situation could change quickly, including your ability to travel within Eritrea or leave the country.
“Practical support from the British government such as face-to-face consular support or evacuation may be severely limited in a crisis.
“Be prepared to re-arrange your own departure from Eritrea if a crisis develops.”
The FCDO advises that if it’s not safe or feasible to leave, you should stay indoors as much as possible and maintain a supply of essential items such as food, drinking water and medicine.
You’re also advised to comply with any local restrictions like curfews, and keep an eye on the media for updates that could enable you to leave safely.
Personnel at the British Embassy in Asmara are unable to provide in-person support in areas of Eritrea where the FCDO advises against travel.
Diplomats at the British Embassy need travel permits from the Eritrean government to venture outside Asmara, which means the Embassy can’t always offer consular assistance in person in certain parts of Eritrea.
The Eritrean authorities may not notify the British Embassy if a British national requires assistance.
There have been cases where the Eritrean authorities have denied the Embassy consular access to detained foreign nationals.
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