Hot Spots
4/23/2015
2:08:03 PM
Contents
AMERICAS

Chile
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA



Burundi
South Africa (2)
Togo
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Afghanistan
Hot Spots Report
AMERICAS
Chile (Security threat level - 2): On 22 April 2015, at approximately 1800 local time (2100 UTC), the Calbuco volcano
erupted in southern Chile for the first time since 1972. The volcano -- which is located near Puerto Varas and Puerto
Montt, approximately 625 mi/1,000 km south of Santiago -- emitted a mushroom-shaped column of ash and smoke at
least 6 mi/10 km high that could be seen from towns approximately 30 mi/50 km away. The Chilean government
declared a red alert and evacuated more than 4,000 people within a 12 mi/20 km radius of the volcano, the majority
from the town of Ensenada. The eruption prompted LATAM Airlines to cancel at least 10 flights to and from Puerto
Montt; El Tepual Airport (SCTE/PMC) in Puerto Montt was temporarily closed as a result of the eruption. Schools were
closed in the communities near the volcano. No injuries have been reported thus far. The government has deployed
police and military personnel to assist with the evacuations and deliver water. Officials have also placed Puerto Montt
and Puerto Varas on a state of alert; long lines were reported at gas stations in both cities, as residents attempted to
fill up on gas and water. In addition, in nearby Argentina, officials have also placed the city of Bariloche, located
approximately 62 mi/100 km from the Calbuco Volcano, under alert, as ash clouds are expected to reach the city. The
eruption came as a surprise to authorities, who stated that the volcano had not been under any form of special
observation.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Burundi (Security threat level - 4): The ruling CNDD-FDD party will hold a congress on 25 April 2015 to nominate its
candidate for Burundi’s upcoming 26 June presidential election. The outcome will be watched closely, as there are
significant concerns that unrest will break out if the party nominates incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza to contest
the poll. Nkurunziza is currently serving his second five-year term in office, the maximum permitted by the constitution.
However, his supporters contend that he should be allowed another term, as he was elected by lawmakers and not the
general population to his first term. The opposition has staged multiple protests over the possibility that Nkurunziza
could stand, most recently on 17 April in Bujumbura; clashes took place between protesters and police officers during
that demonstration. The government has warned that it will deploy the army if such protests continue and violence
escalates.
South Africa (Security threat level - 3): As many as 10,000 members of seven unions under the aegis of the Congress
of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) participated in a march in Pretoria on 23 April 2015 to demand higher wages
for public sector workers. The protesters gathered in Marabastad and marched past the National Treasury and the
Department of Public Service Administration facilities. Anticipating disruptions as a result of the large crowd, authorities
urged motorists to avoid the planned march route. The workers are demanding a 10 percent pay raise and a 1,500rand housing allowance; so far the government has only offered a 5.8 percent raise and a 1,100-rand allowance. If the
government does not improve its offer, the unions have threatened to go on strike.
South Africa (Security threat level - 3): Several thousand people gathered in Johannesburg on 23 April 2015 to
protest the spate of anti-migrant attacks that have been taking place in recent weeks in the Durban and Johannesburg
areas. Organizers expected as many as 30,000 participants at the so-called “People’s March Against Xenophobia.”
The demonstration was scheduled to begin at approximately 1300 local time (1100 UTC) at Pieter Roos Park in Hillbrow
and conclude at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. Despite the anticipated large crowd, authorities did not plan any
road closures. A similar march took place in Durban on 16 April. While that gathering remained largely peaceful, antiriot police officers clashed with pockets of people who were threatening migrants with violence. Thus far, there have
been no reports of violence during the Johannesburg gathering, but as the march just recently got underway, the
situation should be monitored.
Togo (Security threat level - 4): Togo will hold legislative and presidential elections on 25 April 2015. Government
officials have announced that the borders will be closed on election day. There is no indication that air travel will be
affected. Travelers and expatriates should limit their movements on election day and should avoid all gatherings due
to the potential for violence, as several violent demonstrations have occurred in the lead-up to the election.
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS
Afghanistan (Security threat level - 5): On 22 April 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a Security Message,
which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens that there is credible information suggesting
that there could be attacks in coming days against vehicles transporting western officials on routes linking Masood
Circle and the Kabul International Airport and between Abdul Haq Circle and the Camp Phoenix area (approximately 3
km southeast of the airport on Jalalabad Road in Kabul). There was no further information regarding the specific timing
or location of any planned attacks. The U.S. Embassy is taking this threat seriously and advises U.S. citizens to exercise
caution in those areas."