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WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday urged its citizens against travelling to Ivory Coast, amid rising violence in the African nation over a political stalemate.
"In addition to the unstable political situation following the contested November 28, 2010 presidential elections, a rapidly declining economy and a banking crisis may result in a scarcity of fuel, food and other vital commodities," the State Department said in a travel warning.
"We urge US citizens living in Cote d'Ivoire to consider their own personal security and contingency plans, including temporary departure from Cote d'Ivoire."
It recommended US citizens to "avoid travel to Cote d'Ivoire until further notice." The US embassy in Abidjan ordered the departure of all its non-emergency staff on December 20 and remains in evacuation status.
Growing clashes between forces loyal to strongman Laurent Gbagbo and his rival in the presidential election, Alassane Ouattara, have plunged the country into crisis for months.
The international community has widely recognised Ouattara as the winner of the election, but Gbagbo, who has been in power for 10 years and survived a bid to oust him in 2002, has refused to accept the result and stand aside.
The deadlock has since intensified, with Gbagbo occupying the presidential palace and Ouattara making his government headquarters protected by UN peacekeepers. Many protests have grown bloody.
During a meeting on Monday, US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about the violence in Ivory Coast and stressed the need for Ouattara to be able to govern.
"As pressure on the Gbagbo regime by the international community continues, hostility against westerners, including US citizens, appears to be increasing," the State Department said, warning of attacks targeting Westerners and stressing the need to respect curfews.
"The State Department anticipates a general economic downturn, serious shortages of fuel, food and other commodities, as well as price increases, which could result in severe hardship and a simultaneous upswing in civil disturbances and crime."
It also warned that the US embassy's consular services may need to limit its non-emergency services "without notice" and that the diminishing staff means the embassy has "diminishing ability" to help US citizens seeking to leave Ivory Coast.
-AFP/wk
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