Warden Messages

Warden Message - State of Emergency

February 17, 2008

The U.S. Embassy in N'Djamena advises American citizens that the Embassy has transferred operations from a temporary site back to the Chancery as of February 13, 2008. Visa services are suspended until further notice, but American citizen services are available. The Embassy switchboard is operational and Embassy personnel can be reached
at (235) 251-7009.

The government of Chad has declared a state of emergency throughout the country, effective February 14, 2008. On February 14, 2008, citing a need for heightened control over the country, Chadian President Idriss Deby declared a state of emergency in a speech
broadcast on national radio and television. Deby stated that he signed a decree increasing governmental powers for 15 days as provided for in the Chadian constitution. The decree enables the government to control the movement of people and vehicles, ban meetings and put restrictions on the press. The state of emergency also sets a curfew from 12:00
midnight to 6:00 a.m. Americans are advised to avoid all travel during those hours and exercise extreme caution at all other times, bearing in mind the political situation remains fluid and potentially dangerous. After the first 15 days, the national assembly will decide whether to extend the state of emergency.

Air France has resumed limited commercial operations, and flights are operating between N'Djamena and Paris. American citizens should contact Air France about flight schedules and availability.

American citizens who decide to remain in Chad should closely monitor news media and the U.S. Embassy's website. American citizens in Chad are urged to keep family and friends in the United States apprised of their whereabouts. Please encourage all Americans with whom you come in contact to register with the U.S. Embassy by completing a registration form online at https://travelregistration.state.gov and provide contact information and specific travel data if traveling outside the capital.

American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions at http://travel.state.gov, or by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.