The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all travel to:
- the whole of Tigray regional state
- the north and northwest of Amhara regional state (including the whole of North Gonder Zone; the Lay Armacho, Tach Armacho, Tegete, Wegera, West Beles, East Beles, Kinfaz woredas of Central Gonder Zone; Mirab Armacho of West Gondar Zone; the whole of Wag Hemra Zone and North Wello Zone)
- the northwest of Afar regional state – Dalol, Kenebo, Berahle, Aba’ala and Megale woredas of Zone 2; and areas within 10km of the border with Tigray regional state.
- the whole of Gambella regional state
- the West Wollega Zone, East Wollega Zone, Kellem Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega in the Oromia regional state
- the whole of the Metekel Zone and Maokomo Special zone in the Benishangul Gumuz regional state
- the Konso Special Woreda of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR)
- within 10 km of the border with South Sudan
- within 100 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in Ethiopia’s Somali region, and within 30 km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia in Fafan zone, with the exception of border town and crossing at Wajale, and the principal road between Jijiga and Wajale.
- within 10 km of the border with Sudan and the other parts of the Kenyan border, with the exception of principal roads/towns
The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to:
- in Ethiopian Somali Regional State, the Siti zone, the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder), and the areas of Liben and Afder zones more than 100km from the Somalia and Kenya borders
- in Amhara regional state, the whole of South Gonder, South Wello and Oromia Special Zones; the Chilga 1, Chilga 2, West Dembiya, East Dembiya, Gondar Town and Gondar Zuriya wordeas of Central Gonder Zone; the Rabel, Antsokiya, Efrata and Gera Midima Keya Gebriel woredas of North Shewa Zone; the Bugna, Meket Dawunt and Wadla woredas of North Wello Zone
- the Telelak, Dewe, Arturna and Fursi woredas of Zone 5; Yalo, Gulina and Ewa woredas in Zone 4 (apart from all areas south of the Chifra – Semera highway); Afdera woreda in Zone 2, with the exception of the road to Afdera town, including the town of Afdera); and within 10km of the border with Eritrea in Afar regional state
- the West Guji and Guji zones, in the Oromia regional state
- the rest of the Benishangul Gumuz regional state
There is a military conflict ongoing in northern Ethiopia. The conflict has potential to escalate and spread quickly and with little warning. The FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region and to parts of northern Amhara region and western Afar region. If you are in Tigray region, you should leave where safe to do so. If you are in the vicinity of military activity and you cannot leave safely, you should stay indoors, away from windows and remain alert to developments that would enable you to leave safely. See Tigray Region, Amhara Region, and Afar Region.
There have been reports of incidents along the Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar road, including those of armed men attacking vehicles. These usually take place in the early hours when there is poor visibility. You should exercise additional caution and avoid traveling in the dark or when visibility is poor. See Amhara Region
There has been an increase in sporadic conflicts between armed groups in Oromia region and Amhara region. These are mostly reported to be taking place in rural areas of Oromia region, with limted clashes in Amhara region, including in urban areas. You should exercise caution when traveling and be aware that situations have potential to escalate quickly. See Amhara Region and Oromia Region
There has been an increase in sporadic conflicts between armed groups in Oromia region and Amhara region. These are mostly reported to be taking place in rural areas of Oromia region, with limted clashes in Amhara region, including in urban areas. You should exercise caution when traveling and be aware that situations have potential to escalate quickly. See Amhara Region and Oromia Region
On 15 February a nationwide State of Emergency, was lifted by the House of People’s Representatives. Those of Tigrayan or Oromo ethnicity may continue to face increased scrutiny, including at the airport and through direct police operations. You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. You should carry copies of ID, avoid possession of foreign currency and possession of weapons. You should avoid confrontation and follow the instructions of the authorities. You should monitor local news and social media closely for further updates. See Addis Ababa
Conflict has broken out in Gambella with heavy gunfire reported on 14 June. See Gambella
The current political and security situation means that the consular support the British Embassy can provide may be limited. If you need urgent help, call +251 (0)11 617 0100. If you experience technical difficulties or if you are in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
For information on returning to England from Ethiopia, see Returning to the UK.
