Eritrea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Asmara, Eritrea. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Eritrea. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Eritrea country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Eritrea at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, and landmines. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Asmara as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Obtaining official crime statistics for Eritrea is difficult. Most of the U.S. Embassy's reports regarding specific crimes originate from other diplomatic missions, international organizations, and foreign business expatriates with whom U.S. diplomats share a cordial relationship. Walking the streets of Asmara during the daytime hours is generally safe. The downtown area of Asmara is generally populated from morning until midnight. Asmara is a very active city during the night. People can walk around fairly freely, although the Embassy advises avoiding venturing onto isolated streets late at night so as to avoid encounters with youth gangs, intoxicated individuals, and emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs). The Embassy is unaware of any major criminal activity aside from petty theft and harassment from EDPs, who have been known to assault Eritreans and foreigners alike. Although crime is present, particularly at certain hours and in certain locations, Asmara is generally safer than many capital cities. There are dozens of neighborhoods and shopping areas throughout Asmara that attract residents and visitors alike and, therefore, petty criminals. Pickpockets and purse/bag snatchers are a cause of concern. Although previously rare, women are increasingly involved in such thefts, which usually occur in crowded areas such as bus stops, stadiums, movie theatres, marketplaces, and even places of worship. The Embassy has received reports of Eritreans and Westerners assaulted and robbed while walking late at night. Crime is generally higher in the early morning hours near area bus stations, and in areas with high bar/club concentrations (i.e. the Expo Center and downtown area). Some bars stay open until 0500. Disturbances and fights are not uncommon on weekends; youth gangs are indiscriminate in who they target. Women walking alone during these hours are particularly vulnerable. Crime risks may be higher during electricity blackouts that leave large areas in darkness. Over the past few years, Westerners reported five instances of assault. In the most severe case, a Western female was returning to her home at night when two men violently attacked her, kicking and punching repeatedly, and demanding she hand over her phone and money. Eritrea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Crime also tends to be higher during the summer, when Eritreans from the diaspora visit, and during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. In June, when schools are about to close for the summer, instances of group fighting, bar brawls, and hooliganism tend to rise. Crime tends to be lower from April to June. Crime peaks again during Eritrea’s National Festival held during the month of August. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind. While homicides do occur, they often involve perpetrators known to the victim (e.g. land disputes, crimes of passion, domestic issues). In October 2019, an Eritrean man killed his wife and mother-in-law during a domestic violence incident using an AK-47 issued to him by the government as a member of the People’s Militia. Sexual assaults usually involve individuals known to the victim or situations where the use of drugs or alcohol plays a factor. However, the occasional homicide has occurred as the result of an assault or robbery against strangers; these incidents are generally opportunistic and typically occur in the early morning hours. The Embassy has no specific knowledge of homicide or sexual assault committed against persons in the expatriate or diplomatic community. Financial scams are rare. Eritrea has no ATMs and is virtually a cash-only economy. You cannot use credit or debit cards in Eritrea for any purpose, as there are no credit card processing services operating in the country. Vehicle break-ins are common, but vehicle theft occurs rarely. Incidents of stolen vehicles are usually isolated to joyriding. In November 2019, car thieves stole an Embassy employee’s car parked overnight near the Embassy, but authorities recovered it abandones the next day near an area hospital. The thieves allegedly used the car to transport stolen diesel fuel. The Embassy recommends parking in well-lighted areas, and whenever possible to park in secure parking areas. Residential crime ebbs and flows. Over the past few years, there have been reported break-ins and burglaries of expatriate residences. In one case, a suspect broke into a home, held a female expatriate at knifepoint, and stole personal belongings. Common items of interest reported taken from residences include propane gas cylinders, money, jewelry, and electronics. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. The Eritrean government restricts the travel of foreigners outside of Asmara via a 2006 decree. While it has granted requests to travel to Keren, Mendefera, and Massawa, access is not guaranteed. Travel permits are very specific, and do not allow for side trips/deviations. Would-be travelers must request and receive specific approval to access religious and other significant sites. The Filfil Road from Asmara to Massawa has a large amount of mountain debris and has washed away in parts. You may see wild baboons on mountain roads. They are not safe to approach. Keep vehicle windows closed and doors closed. Review OSAC’s report, When Wildlife Attacks. There are landmines in many remote areas in Eritrea, particularly in Nakfa, AdiKeih, Arezza, the 25 mile- wide region (40 km) between the Setit and Mereb Rivers, and in areas north and west of Keren, near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, Dekemhare, and south of Tessenae. Certain remote Eritrean islands have military facilities and are not accessible to tourists. Travel to any Red Sea islands requires a special travel permit for sea excursions, which travelers can arrange through local tourist and boating agencies. Eritrea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Cybersecurity Issues Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Asmara is on a plateau. The roads leading to the city are dangerously steep, curving, and narrow, with most in poor condition and with minimal/no guardrails. Roads are frequently littered with rocks and debris. Driving is challenging. Drivers often do not observe rules of the road. It is not uncommon to find vehicles stopped in active traffic lanes. The causes for vehicular accidents are predominately speeding, driving under the influence, not observing traffic rules, and bad road and vehicle conditions. Trucks hauling products from Massawa sometimes lack regular maintenance due to the expense and lack of spare parts; drivers tend to improvise repairs. Thick fog is also common during certain times of the year. A significant amount of travel is on precarious roads, where fog and haphazard driving regularly result in fatalities. Defensive driving is imperative. Trucks are heavily laden with goods, and many drivers tend to exceed speed limits and ignore local traffic norms. According to a 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) report, more than 1,250 people died from road traffic accidents in Eritrea last year. The biggest road hazard is non-vehicular traffic in the roadway (e.g. pedestrians, persons in wheelchairs, bicycles, donkey carts). Pedestrians and bicyclists are a particular hazard because they tend to disregard vehicular traffic; many walk/ride with earphones on, and are not cognizant or situationally aware of road hazards. Bicyclists will sometimes turn unexpectedly in front of drivers, or end up on the side of a vehicle at intersections, which is dangerous when making a right turn. Almost no bicyclists use reflective gear or lights. It is also common to see a large number of young children in the streets going/coming from school or playing soccer. Children are most visibly present during the summer (end of June-beginning of September) when schools close. Pedestrians should be extremely vigilant at night, and always carry a flashlight. An added complication to driving is the road conditions. The main roads in Asmara are good; however, side roads have little maintenance and often contain significant potholes. Many roads, particularly in residential areas, are unimproved dirt. Driving at night is especially dangerous due to frequent power outages. Avoid travel outside of the city after dark or under less than ideal weather conditions. Local law enforcement regularly maintains a police presence at various intersections via foot patrol and in police vehicles. Police also conduct random sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints. Authorities regularly administer sobriety checks on the spot, with a more thorough examination at a local police precinct. The legal alcohol limit is 0.08%. Drivers in Eritrea must obtain an Eritrea driver’s license; U.S. or international driver’s licenses are invalid. Those involved in an automobile accident should contact the local police immediately. Leave your car in place until the local police arrive to take a report.