On 10 August 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Due to the General Elections on August 12, Thursday August 12 and Friday August 13 have been declared public holidays in Zambia. In observance, the U.S. Embassy will be closed for regular business on those days. Please keep in mind that spontaneous demonstrations may occur throughout the country in the days before and after the election. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can quickly turn confrontational and escalate into violence. As a result, the Department of State recommends avoiding large crowds, demonstrations, and political gatherings during this period. Follow media coverage of local events, remain vigilant to your surroundings, and exercise caution when travelling.
“With the exception of election observation teams, U.S. government personnel are prohibited from personal and official travel outside of Lusaka from 8:00 AM Friday August 13, 2021, until further notice. U.S. government personnel have also been advised to exercise caution within Lusaka during this period and limit movements when possible.”
The full text of the alert is available here.
