Warden Message

Dear Fellow American Citizens of Lesotho:

Government of Lesotho (GOL) security officials announced on the evening of June 15, effective immediately and until further notice, a comprehensive curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily.  Officials have told senior diplomats that the curfew, effective in Maseru and the interior of the country, applies to all civilian residents, including vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  Police officials plan to detain violators of the curfew.  Also on June 15, security officials established checkpoints at locations leading into and out of the capital.  Personal and thorough vehicular searches at these checkpoints and at the border have resulted in traffic delays.  We expect these searches to continue although not confirmed by the Lesotho Government.

According to security officials, the GOL has imposed the curfew as a means to apprehend “criminal” armed assailants who attacked the residences of senior political and government leaders on June 10 and June 14.  In the process the assailants disarmed and briefly kidnapped several Lesotho Defense Forces (LDF) guards serving as security at these residences.  See the Warden Message dated June 16, 2007 June 15, 2007) for details.
   
The U.S. embassy emphatically encourages all American citizens in Lesotho to adhere to this curfew, remain at your residences or other secure locations daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and to carry on your person proof of identity (passport, border passes, resident permits).  According to local officials, you may move about freely during daylight hours. 

Although the situation is serious, there are no immediate signs of further deterioration.  We, nonetheless, urge all American citizens to take precautionary measures, including ensuring that you have adequate home supplies of necessities such as food, water, and medicines.  We advise that you avoid large crowds or gatherings. 

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.