The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens that municipal elections are scheduled on May 22, 2016. Elections are part of an ongoing, dynamic, and sometimes heated process of political change. There is presently no reason to believe U.S. citizens would be specifically targeted in the event of election-related unrest.
U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of security awareness and exercise caution during the electoral period and avoid political rallies, campaign events, demonstrations, polling stations, and crowds of any kind in the weeks before and after the elections. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Burkina Faso Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou, in Ouaga 2000, Sector 15, on Avenue Sembene Ousmane, southeast of the Monument aux Héros Nationaux, at (+226) 25-49-53-00, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. If you are a U.S. citizen in an emergency situation after normal Embassy operating hours, please contact the Embassy, dial “1,” and ask to be connected to the duty officer.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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