Warden Information

Warden Message - Kono Disturbances (25 April 08)

U.S. Embassy – Freetown
April 25, 2008

On April 23, there were clashes between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and an estimated 500 youths in Koidu Town, Kono District (eastern Sierra Leone), over a disputed mining site.  During the confrontation several arrests were made and police were eventually able to disperse the crowd by firing tear gas and several live rounds of ammunition into the air.  No casualties were reported.

Currently the situation is calm, but tensions remain high in the area.  A curfew (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) has been implemented and the SLP has been deployed to protect the police station, mining companies and their interests, and other buildings and offices that were targeted.
American citizens are urged to exercise caution when traveling in the Kono District due to the high tension and potential for sudden disturbances.  American citizens traveling by vehicle are also advised to maintain an ample supply of fuel as periodic shortages in the region have been reported.

U.S. citizens in Sierra Leone are strongly encouraged to register with the Department of State at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Anyone without Internet access may register in person at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown and obtain information there on travel and security in Sierra Leone.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Leicester/Regent in Freetown and our telephone numbers for American citizen emergencies are 232 22 515 000 or 232 76 515 000.  After regular business hours please call 232 76 634 603.  You can also visit our website http://freetown.usembassy.gov to obtain the most up to date information.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.   For additional information on travel to Sierra Leone see the Department’s Country Specific Information for Sierra Leone.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).