09/19/09 : Avoid Downtown
Embassy of the United States of America
Antananarivo, Madagascar
September 18, 2009
The three opposition movements (Ravalomanana, Ratsiraka, and Zafy) plan to march in the city tomorrow, Saturday, September 19 with Zafy personally leading the group. Although the details are still unclear, it is assumed that the gathering will occur at Place 13 Mai, but at this time we have no confirmation of this or from where the marching will begin. Additionally, members of the ?Comite pour la Defense de la Democratie et de la Transition? (Committee for the Support of the Democracy and the Transition) announced that they will ?protect the city.? Please avoid the downtown area and be very aware of your surroundings if you are traveling around town.
Marches and demonstrations in Madagascar have the possibility of turning violent. Although the US Embassy has no information indicating planned violent protests, events from earlier this year have taught us that the situation could rapidly change.
Should you see anything out of the ordinary while out, please report it to the Embassy via the RSO duty phone: 033.02.230.02.
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy's website and the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo. The mailing address is B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo, Madagascar; telephone [261] (20) 22-212-57 available 24 hours in case of emergency; fax [261] (20) 22-345-39. The Embassy's web site is located at http://www.antananarivo.usembassy.gov/ .