UK bans all travels to Tigray, Amhara, and Gambela regions, issues sweeping warnings across Ethiopia

The British government has significantly expanded its travel warnings for Ethiopia, banning all travels to Tigray, Amhara and Gambella regions and advising against travels to several regions and large border areas owing to deteriorating security conditions.

In its latest advisory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stated:

According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, UK nationals are advised against all travel to Tigray region, where recent reports show militarized tensions in various places. At least one person was killed and another injured after a drone strike hit two trucks in the Enticho area, Central Tigray zone, on Friday night. Another drone strike was also reported at around 5:30 a.m. in the area of Gendebta, Central Tigray zone. Both strikes targeted vehicles loaded with consumer goods. Flights to the region remain suspended as of Thursday.

UK’s travel warning also bans all travels to Amhara region, where a war between government and the Fano armed groups remained active since it first broke in 2023; and Gambela region, where renewed clashes saw scored killed and schools shuttered.

The advisory also extends to all areas within 10 kilometers of Ethiopia’s border with Eritrea, and within 20 kilometers of the border with Sudan, as well as within 10 kilometers of the border with South Sudan.

The FCDO further advises against all travel within 10 kilometers of the border with Kenya, except along principal roads and towns, and within 100 kilometers of Ethiopia’s borders with Somalia and Kenya in the Somali region. In the Fafan zone, the restriction applies within 30 kilometers of the Ethiopia–Somalia border, except for the border town and crossing at Wajale and the principal road linking Jijiga and Wajale.

Afar and Benishangul-Gumuz

In the Afar region, the FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 10 kilometers of the Eritrean border.

In Benishangul-Gumuz region, the advisory extends to areas within 20 kilometers of the Sudan border, as well as to the Metekel zone and the Maokomo special zone, while travel to the remainder of the region is advised against all but essential travel.

Oromia Region

The FCDO has issued extensive restrictions across Oromia region, advising against all travel to areas within 10 kilometers of the border with Kenya, to areas north of the A4 road in West Shewa zone, and to areas south and west of the A3 road in North Shewa zone, including the A3 road itself. The advisory also covers West Wollega, East Wollega, Kellem Wollega, and Horo Gudru Wollega zones, including the main Addis Ababa–Gambela road.

The FCDO further advises against all but essential travel to most of East Shewa zone, with exceptions limited to the Addis Ababa–Adama Expressway and areas within 10 kilometers on either side between Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, as well as the A7 road from its junction with the expressway to Hawassa. Similar restrictions apply to the A4 road between Addis Ababa and Cheliya, except within the Finfine special zone, to the remainder of North Shewa zone, and to West Guji and Guji zones, excluding the Hawassa–Mega road.

Somali region

In the Somali region, the FCDO advises against all travel within 30 kilometers of the Ethiopia–Somalia border in Fafan zone, except for Wajale and the Jijiga–Wajale road, and within 100 kilometers of the borders with Somalia and Kenya in the rest of the region. Travel is advised against all but essential to the Siti, Nogob, Jarar, Shabelle, Korahe, and Dollo zones, as well as to areas of Liben and Afder zones located more than 100 kilometers from the Somalia and Kenya borders.

Southern, Central, and Sidama Regions

For Central Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia, Sidama , and South West regions, the FCDO advises against all travel within 10 kilometers of the borders with South Sudan and Kenya, including along the shores of Lake Turkana.

The FCDO warned that travel against its advice may invalidate insurance coverage and significantly limit the UK government’s ability to provide consular assistance.

Source : https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ethiopia