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Worldview Security Report – January 10, 2019
10-Jan-19

ASIA

Bangladesh (Security threat level – 4): On 10 January 2019, thousands of striking garment workers continued to protest on the outskirts of Dhaka, in the Ashulia district of Savar. Police officers used tear gas and blank rounds to disperse protesters who had gathered on the Zirabo-Bishmail Highway and Abdullahpur-Bipile Road. At least 30 people were injured in the clashes.

EUROPE

Cyprus (Security threat level – 2): As of 10 January 2019, employees of the Osypas bus company in Paphos are continuing to strike over nonpayment of wages for the month of December. The strike is currently affecting approximately 8,500 passengers in the Paphos region. The strike began on 9 January and workers claim that it will continue until the pay issue is resolved.

France (Security threat level – 3): Early on 10 January 2019, a four-story building caught fire near the Matabiau train station in Toulouse. The fire caused the building to partially collapse, and at least 20 people were injured. Authorities evacuated 60 people from the neighboring Bristol Hotel and blocked access to the Matabiau station and the surrounding area as a precaution. Hundreds of firefighters brought the blaze under control later in the morning on 10 January. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Trains are still running through the station at Matabiau, but access to the station remains disrupted.

France (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, VTC drivers — private chauffeur drivers not affiliated with taxi companies — protested in various locations throughout Paris, using vehicles to block roads. A spokesperson at Paris’ Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG/CDG) stated that protesters had blocked access to the airport via the A1 motorway and advised travelers to use the rail networks to access the airport. Drivers also reportedly blocked locations along the ring road surrounding Paris. Drivers are protesting to demand the introduction of a minimum fare and push for a partial exemption on a fuel tax.

Germany (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, a security staff strike at three airports in Germany resulted in the cancellation of more than 640 flights. The all-day strikes are currently ongoing at Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL/DUS), Cologne-Bonn Airport (EDDK/CGN) and Stuttgart Airport (EDDS/STR). There are currently reports of long lines at security checkpoints at all airports and further delays and cancellations are possible throughout the day. Airport authorities advised those booked on flights today to contact their airline before traveling to the airports. In addition, operations at other airports may be disrupted due to the delays and cancellations. Organizers of the strike warned that the walkouts could continue if the workers’ demands for wage increases were not met.

Italy (Security threat level – 3): According to reports from 10 January 2019, multiple unions have called for Italian air traffic controllers to strike on 11 January. Eurocontrol reported that the industrial action will occur between 1300-1700 local time (1200-1600 UTC) and affect several airports, including Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (LIRF/FCO) and Ciampino International Airport (LIRA/CIA), Turin’s Caselle International Airport (LIMF/TRN), Milan’s Linate Airport (LIML/LIN), Genoa’s Cristoforo Colombo Airport (LIMJ/GOA), Perugia’s Umbria International Airport (LIRZ/PEG), Pescara’s Abruzzo Airport (LIBP/PSR) and Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (LICC/CTA). Italian law stipulates that a minimum level of service must be met during labor actions; however, significant delays and cancellations are likely.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): At approximately 0300 local time (0200 UTC) on 10 January 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced the provisional results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s general election, declaring opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the winner of the presidential race. According to CENI’s provisional results, Tshisekedi received 38.57 percent of the vote; however, election observers with the Catholic Church stated that CENI’s results did not align with their findings. The two other leading candidates have implied they will contest the results, with opposition candidate Martin Fayulu calling the outcome an “electoral coup.” The Constitutional Court has 14 days to confirm the provisional results.

Heavy security remains in place throughout Kinshasa, including around the CENI headquarters. Reports indicate that internet connectivity — which was shut down during vote counting — has been restored in Kinshasa and Goma; the status of internet connectivity elsewhere is unclear. A large number of businesses in the capital remained closed following the announcement. There were reports of celebrations in the streets of Kinshasa and some reports of protests over the election outcome elsewhere in the country. For instance, supporters of opposition candidate Martin Fayulu demonstrated in Kinsagani, while security personnel opened fire to disperse unidentified protesters who attacked symbols of the government in Kikwit, a town located approximately 500 km (310 mi) from Kinshasa; at least two people were killed in the clashes in Kikwit.




GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Democratic Republic Of The Congo / Rwanda (Security threat levels – 5 / 3): On 9 January 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updates to its travel advisories for Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that read in part as follows:

  • “The Ministry of Health in Rwanda has established new policies for every traveller, including health care workers and humanitarian volunteers, wishing to enter Rwanda from Ebola-affected areas of DRC…The policy mandates that you should provide advance notice of your intention to travel to Rwanda to the Rwandan Ministry of Health, and you will need to comply with quarantine procedures for a period of 21 days before onward travel within or through Rwanda is permitted.”

  • France (Security threat level – 3) : On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Paris issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

  • “Location: France, countrywide. Including, but not limited to: Paris, Amiens, Avignon, Bordeaux, Bourges, Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nancy, Nantes, Nice, Rennes, Rouen, Strasbourg, and Toulouse.
  • “Gathering points and routes in Paris include, but are not limited to, the following locations and surrounding areas: Champs-Elysees, Boulevard Saint-Germain, Place de la Concorde, Place de la Madeleine, Place de la Bastille, Place de la République, Place Saint-Michel, Assemblée Nationale, Porte Maillot affecting traffic on the Périphérique (ring road around Paris), the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, and Porte de Versailles (1st, 4th, 6th 7th, 8th, 15th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements). Similar central locations in cities throughout France could also be settings for protests and police response.
  • “Event: Saturday demonstrations by the “Gilets Jaunes” (yellow vests) are expected to continue. The group is protesting fuel prices and taxes, and other government policies. Previous demonstrations have become violent with police response including water cannons and/or tear gas. In addition to the demonstrations in major cities, organizers continue to call for traffic interruptions and blockades throughout France. At highway toll stations, protesters have set up barricades and set fire to pallets.”
  • Germany (Security threat level – 3): On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Consulate in Munich issued a Weather Alert, which reads in part as follows:

  • “Location: Bavaria, Germany
  • “Event: The Bavarian Avalanche Warning System has raised the avalanche risk level to 4 (high) due to a significant increase in fresh snow and strong winds. Avalanches can be released very easily and large natural avalanches are to be expected. Falling trees may pose the risk of releasing avalanches, causing injuries, blocking roadways and rail lines, and causing power outages. These conditions are very critical for snow sport activities outside of marked and open slopes.
  • “Actions to Take:
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities and guides.
  • Avoid back country skiing (“off piste”) or other winter sports in affected areas.
  • Stay on marked and open pistes for snow sport activities.
  • Monitor local media for updates before and during your travel.
  • Monitor the Bavarian Avalanche Warning System website.”

  • Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 10 January 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

  • “Locations: Rue Capois and Rue Nicolas in the Carrefour Feuilles area of Downtown Port-au-Prince.
  • “Events: Reports of roadblocks and burning barricades.”


  • Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.