Warden Messages

U.S. Embassy Maseru, Lesotho

Warden Message

June 20, 2007

Dear Fellow American Citizens of Lesotho:

On June 19, the Commissioner of the Lesotho Mountain Police Service (LMPS) announced a revision to the ongoing curfew.  Effective immediately and until further notice the new curfew hours are from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily.

Local taxi company operators and drivers have threatened to strike if the curfew continues.  Security authorities believe, however, that they have addressed taxi company concerns by easing curfew hours.

Military and law enforcement personnel will continue to enforce the curfew through the use of roadblocks and detention of curfew violators.  Authorities remain concerned that active or former members of the military and/or law enforcement agencies may be responsible for recent attacks and for manning unauthorized security checkpoints.

Please continue to adhere strictly to the imposed curfew and to remain safely at home or at a secure location from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily. Although authorities have not reported any significant incidents of attacks or violence since June 18, the security environment during curfew hours remains unpredictable.  The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens to be particularly vigilant after dark now that the curfew commences well into the evening hours.  Carry on your person proof of identify (passport, border passes, resident permits) in case of emergency.

If you are living or traveling in Lesotho, please register with the U.S. Embassy Maseru in person or through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho.

The Consular Section of the Embassy in Maseru, Lesotho is located at 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru. American citizens can call 22-312-666 during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday. For after-hours emergencies an American officer from the Embassy can be reached by cellular telephone at 5888-4035. The email address for the Consular Section in Maseru is USConsularMaseru@state.gov.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current world-wide caution, public announcements, and travel warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, 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.