

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Rwanda
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RWANDA - WARNING
  June 23, 1992

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to defer all
non-essential travel to Rwanda until further notice.  U.S. citizens
who must travel to Rwanda should exercise extreme caution.  Rwanda
has been engaged in hostilities with an armed force composed of
Rwandan exiles from Uganda.  A negotiated ceasefire continues to be
violated.  Fighting occurs regularly along the northern border with
Uganda, an area which encompasses both Volcano National Park, where
Rwanda's mountain gorillas live, and Akagera Game Park, the northern
part of which is presently closed to visitors.

Tourist groups continue to visit Akagera Game Park, and the
gorillas in Volcano National Park, although such trips are
occasionally postponed or canceled due to outbreaks of fighting or
other security concerns.  U.S. citizens who, despite this warning,
are considering such visits are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in
Kigali before leaving the United States or their last stop before
Rwanda to obtain updated security information.

In a number of areas, including the capital, Kigali, there have
been armed robberies and attacks on residents using guns, machetes,
and hand grenades.  In addition, terrorist acts have been committed
using anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines.  These attacks have not
been directed at American citizens or installations, and appear to
be the result of the increasingly volatile political situation in
the country and an increasing lack of discipline in the armed
forces.  U.S. citizens are advised that the unpredictable nature of
these attacks, and their occurrence in areas potentially frequented
by tourists, have increased the risk of all travelers in Rwanda.

A curfew is in effect throughout Rwanda, from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00
a.m. in most of the country.  The curfew in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi
prefectures, where the Volcano National Park is located, is from
8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.  Additional curfews are often declared in
areas affected by fighting, ethnic violence, or conflict between
rival political groups.  Roadblocks and checkpoints controlled by
the military are in effect in Kigali and throughout the country.

Americans who must travel to Rwanda are strongly advised to contact
the U.S. Embassy in Kigali upon arrival to register their presence
and to receive updated security and curfew information.  The Embassy
is located on Boulevard de la Revolution, telephone numbers 75601,
75602 and 75603.

  No. 92-132

This replaces the previous travel advisory dated March 31, 1992, to
omit the reference to fighting and curfew in the Bugasera Region,
and to advise travelers to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kigali before
attempting to visit Volcano National Park and the mountain gorillas.


