The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens that, according to local police, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2013, a foreign diplomat departing the Layalina Lebanese Restaurant in N’Djamena was assaulted. The assailant fired several rounds from a pistol and stole the diplomat’s vehicle outside the restaurant located near the Medecins Sans Frontiers compound.
The Embassy’s Regional Security Office assessment indicates that this incident was most likely a crime of opportunity. The incident highlights the need to maintain vigilance in daily affairs, even when visiting familiar locations. Exercise caution at night and avoid situations that make you vulnerable to crime.
The Embassy is closely monitoring the recent suspension of National Police services, which to date have been capably assumed by N’Djamena Municipal Police and Chad’s gendarmes. Chadian authorities informed the Embassy that the National Police are developing new protocols to enhance existing law enforcement services, which should be completed by the middle of next month.
You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy N’Djamena website. Please check for regular updates on the U.S. Embassy N’Djamena website. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android marketplace, for travel information at your fingertips. If you don't have internet access, you can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
If you are going to live in or travel to Chad, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Even if you have already enrolled, you should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy is located in N’Djamena on Avenue Felix Eboue; mailing address B.P. 413, N’Djamena, Chad. The Embassy telephone number is +235 22-51-70-09. The Embassy fax number is +235 22-51-56-54.
For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call +235 66-62-21-00 or +235 2251-70-09 and ask to speak with the duty officer.