This warden message is being issued to alert Americans to a government-approved rally to commemorate President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s 10th year in office is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 9, at 8:00 a.m. at the People’s Palace (Palais du Peuple).  Participants are expected to start gathering at the Dry Port (near Djibouti Free Zone) at around 7:00 am and proceed via Venice Road (Rue de Venise) to the People’s Palace where the official rally will be held.  All Djiboutian public servants have been released from work on Thursday.  Many forms of public transportation have been contracted to transport people to the rally point—therefore, public transportation may be extremely limited.  Roadblocks will be in place on Venice Road to bar all private vehicles during the rally—only buses bringing participants will be allowed.  Many shops and establishments throughout the city will be closed during this event.  Several thousand participants are expected.

The National Police will secure the procession and rally.  Expect a robust law enforcement presence at the rally and throughout the city.  In addition, several roadblocks and detours leading to and around the rally point will be in place. 

Americans are urged to avoid the Venice Road area on Thursday morning.

Other official events at 8:00 PM on the night of April 9th will occur at these locations:

Cheik Moussa  (in Balballa)
PK 12 (in Balballa)
Gouled Stadium (on Venice/Port Rd_
People’s Palace (Ave GeorgePompidou)
Kempinski Palace Hotel (in Heron)

Other rally activities may occur at Hassan Gouled Stadium.

The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti urges Americans to avoid the above mentioned areas during this time.  We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  American citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations. 

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 "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 Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti City. The mailing address is Ambassade Americaine, B.P. 185, Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti.  The telephone number is (253) 35-39-95.  The fax number is (253) 35-39-40.  Normal working hours are Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  In the event of an after-hours emergency involving American citizens call (253) 87-72-29 for assistance.

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