U.S. issues travel warning for Ivory Coast

The U.S. State Department says U.S. citizens should be wary if traveling to Ivory Coast. U.S. citizens who live in or travel to the West African nation were advised to "monitor conditions carefully, maintain situational awareness and pay very close attention to their personal security," a statement from the department said Friday. Minors will not be allowed to travel to Ivory Coast until security conditions improve in the country, the statement said. "Crimes. such as mugging, robbery, burglary and carjacking, pose risks for foreign visitors in Abidjan and around the country. You should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic or at roadblocks due to the threat of assault and/or robbery, and you should avoid travel outside of the city after dark," the statement said. The department also urged people traveling to Ivory Coast and those already there to contact the U.S. Embassy in the country for up-to-date safety concerns.