Warden Message: Port-Gentil Unrest

WARDEN MESSAGE
U.S. EMBASSY LIBREVILLE

September 3, 2009

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens that the central prison (“Prison Centrale”) in Port-Gentil was overrun today by a crowd in which a large number of prisoners escaped.  The crowd has since gathered in the neighborhood, Quartier Chateau d’Eau in Port-Gentil, and may attempt movement towards the city’s central courthouse, “le Tribunal”.  Gabonese law enforcement are present at the scene to keep order. 

U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid the prison area and central area of Port-Gentil until further notice that the situation has been resolved.  Other demonstrations could develop without warning.  We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations.

The Embassy urges all American citizens in Gabon or Sao Tome and Principe to register with the Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov <https://travelregistration.state.gov> , or to register directly with the Embassy in person.

U.S. citizens may contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Libreville for further information.  The Embassy is located in Centre Ville on the Boulevard du Bord de Mer, and may be reached at 76.20.03/04 during business hours.  In case of emergency, a 24-hour duty officer may be reached after hours at 07.38.01.71.