AFRICA

Kenya (Security threat level – 4): On 15 August 2022, the chairman of Kenya’s electoral commission declared incumbent Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the 9 August presidential election. Official results indicate that Ruto secured 50.49% of the vote, narrowly defeating his main opponent — former Prime Minister Raila Odinga — who garnered 48.85% of the vote. Four members of the seven-member electoral commission, including the vice-chairperson, have renounced the election results. Following the declaration, protests broke out in Odinga’s strongholds such as the capital Nairobi’s Kibera area and the western city of Kisumu. Protesters in Kisumu took to the streets during the evening hours to denounce the results, claiming that the outcome was unfair. Odinga’s supporters burned tires and debris on the streets and engaged in clashes with police officers, who fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds. There were no reports of injuries or deaths in relation to the protests. Odinga has rejected the elections results, citing allegations of vote rigging, and is expected to file an appeal in the Supreme Court; the appeal must be filed within the next seven days.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 4): On 15 August 2022, the Chinese government announced sanctions against seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan’s independence from China. The sanctioned individuals are no longer permitted to enter China and are banned from engaging in financial transactions with Chinese companies. The sanctions were announced during a U.S. congressional delegation’s meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The announcement came a day after the Chinese military issued a statement regarding additional drills around Taiwan; the extent and the duration of the planned drills are unknown as yet. Heightened tensions between China and Taiwan continue after a 2-3 August visit to Taiwan by the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives — the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the island in nearly 25 years.

Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): In the early morning hours of 16 August 2022, a passenger bus traveling from Karachi to Lahore crashed into an oil tanker on the Obarra Junobi highway in the eastern city of Multan, located in Punjab province. According to witnesses, the bus hit the tanker from behind, immediately igniting a large fire. At least 20 people were killed and six others were injured in the accident. A local police spokesperson stated that the accident likely occurred due to reckless driving.

EUROPE

Ukraine (Security threat level – 5): t approximately 0615 local time (0315 UTC) on 16 August 2022, an ammunition depot exploded in the northern village of Mayskoye, located on the Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Authorities evacuated approximately 2,000 residents from the village after multiple blasts were reported at the facility over a period of several hours. At least two people were injured. Meanwhile, Russian state media reported that a fire broke out near the Crimean town of Dzhankoi, although there has been no official announcement regarding the source of that fire. Russian officials attributed the blasts in Mayskoye to “an act of sabotage” while a Ukrainian presidential advisor suggested that Ukrainian forces may have caused the blasts but did not confirm their involvement.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): On 15 August 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia issued a Security Alert regarding the upcoming elections, which reads in part as follows: “The first round of Brazil’s national elections is scheduled to take place nationwide on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Per the Brazilian Constitution, a second round of voting is possible on October 30. Demonstrations are expected across the country leading up to and during the elections. While the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil expect the elections to be relatively calm throughout most of the country, we remind U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings and any road closures.

“The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil caution U.S. citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations, as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational. We encourage you to check media sources you trust for updates.”