The U.S. Department of State yesterday renewed its travel warning for the Ivory Coast. Replacing the previous warning from 12th May 2010, the United States are advising “U.S. citizens to exercise caution should they travel to Cote d’Ivoire, and to take special care when travelling outside Abidjan. Security conditions in the north and in the west can deteriorate without warning.”
This despite the United Nations recent expression of confidence in the elections in the West African nation. UN representative Young-jin Choi stated that “campaigning is evolving in accordance with democratic rules despite the passion inherent in this kind of event. » And also that “the campaign period for the Oct. 31 presidential election has taken off peacefully.”
It may be that elections in the Ivory Coast will go to a second round and the U.S Department of State have declared that they believe this to be a very likely possibility, which could then lead to violent demonstrations.
The United States also renewed a travel warning on the 19th October for Nigeria, specifically the Niger Delta region.
By Sara Atteby
Despite the long-awaited announcement of an election date for 31 October, key issues remain unresolved. And while a younger generation Read more
