Warden Messages

U.S. Embassy Maseru, Lesotho

Warden Message

June 25, 2007

Dear Fellow American Citizens in Lesotho:

On June 22, 2007 the Commissioner of the Lesotho Mountain Police Service (LMPS) lifted a week-old curfew. It was lifted without conditions.  According to local reports, however, security checkpoints and roadblocks remain active. 

The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of nighttime gunfire, including the June 22 shooting near an official checkpoint of a Government of Lesotho employee.  The Lesotho Defense Forces (LDF) issued a statement on June 21 announcing that the perpetrators behind recent attacks (which were described in Warden Messages dated June 18, June 16, and June 15) remain at large and are "heavily armed with automatic rifles and roam around disguised in LDF, LMPS, South African Police Service, or private security companies’ uniforms."

The American Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Lesotho to remain vigilant, especially after dusk.  Remember to keep in your possession at all times your identification, resident permits, and border passes.  

To reiterate, 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