The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens that there is a demonstration occurring in the Zogbo neighborhood near the Cotonou Stadium consisting of about 500 demonstrators who have set tires on fire and made the area inaccessible. Police have blocked both directions on the Rue De Lomé leading North and South in the direction of the President’s residence. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to avoid the vicinity of the demonstrations or any other areas where public gatherings appear to be taking place, as any demonstrations have the potential to become violent and dangerous.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Benin enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Benin. For additional information, refer to the Traveler’s Checklist on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.
The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou is located at Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, and is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Embassy’s mailing address is 01 BP 2012, Cotonou, Benin. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is (229) 21-30-06-50.
