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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

SOUTH AFRICA(GAUTENG PROVINCE) - The South African Weather Service issued a heavy rain warning for the South Africa's Gauteng province early on 10 March. The following areas are expected to be affected by the adverse weather conditions and related disruptions: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Heidelberg, Krugersdorp and Kempton Park. According to local reports, vehicles belonging to the Tshwane Emergency Services (TES) in Pretoria have been swept away by flash floods, and the TES has ordered the evacuation of residents in the northern parts of the city. The current weather warning is expected to remain in effect until 13 March at least. Disruptions to air and road transport, as well as to utilities, including telecommunications and electricity, should be anticipated in the affected areas. Clients in the aforementioned areas are advised to monitor local media for updates and to follow the advisories of the authorities. Persons are also advised to move away from low-lying and flood-prone areas, such as rivers and canals.

AFGHANISTAN(ZARANJ) - An Iranian national who was abducted in Afghanistan's Nimroz province on 11 February was released on 9 March. The victim was kidnapped from the province's administrative capital, Zaranj, after leaving a public bath house in the Naqsha area of the city. He was a truck driver passing through the city. It was reported that kidnappers initially demanded 15,000 US dollars, but he was freed by security forces before a ransom could be paid. Further details surrounding the release have not been disclosed. There is an extreme risk of kidnapping in Afghanistan. The threat remains the highest in the southern and eastern regions of the country, especially along Afghanistan's border with Pakistan. However, as this incident demonstrates, kidnappings can take place anywhere in the country. The kidnapping threat stems from both criminal and insurgent groups, such as the Sunni-extremist Taleban, as well as local militias. Given high levels of insecurity in the country, further such incidents should be anticipated. Due to a number of security concerns, all travel to Afghanistan is advised against. Persons in Afghanistan are advised to adopt heightened security measures, including the use of a security escort and residing in secure accommodation. Where possible, all travel between urban centres should be done by air travel. If road travel is unavoidable, it should only be undertaken in convoy and during daylight hours, and only following a full security review of the route.

SENEGAL/GAMBIA - (Update) Disruptions at land border crossings between the Gambia and Senegal continue to be reported. The disruptions have largely impacted commercial goods vehicles, which have been blocked from passing through the border. The Senegalese Transport Union is reportedly leading agitation to keep the border closed in light of recently increased ferry tariffs by the Gambian authorities. The increased tariff rates are an attempt by the Gambian authorities to raise much needed revenue; however, the apparent unilateral increase of fees has angered transport unions and the Senegalese government. The impasse is expected to last for the short-term at least. Increasing economic and political pressure is likely to result in some form of negotiated settlement in the coming weeks. This pressure may come from Gambian and Senegalese business or governments in the wider region. A number of commercial vehicles blocked at the land border crossings hail from neighbouring states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. Note that there is an increasing risk of protests in border towns in both states. The border disruptions have reportedly had a negative impact on businesses in the region. Persons intending to travel via land borders between these two countries are advised to contact the relevant authority prior to departure, to check the status of the crossing and route. Caution is advised when near the border and all protest action should be avoided as a standard precaution.

EGYPT(GIZA) - An unidentified person detonated a small explosive device near a security force vehicle in the Faisal district of Giza, located in Egypt's Greater Cairo area, during the evening of 9 March. The subsequent explosion wounded three passersby. The assailant was later detained by the police. Such incidents are common in Greater Cairo. These attacks are typically perpetrated by anti-government militants linked to anarchists, marginalised Islamist political groupings or extremist organisations. The incidents occasionally result in casualties in the vicinity of commonly targeted persons or facilities, typically associated with the government, police or military. Travellers to Greater Cairo should ensure that they maintain a high level of personal security awareness when travelling outside of secure areas, particularly near commonly targeted persons and facilities.

LEBANON(RAS BAALBEK & AL-QAA(BEKAA GOVERNORATE)) - Clashes were reported between the military and suspected Islamic State (IS) militants near the shared Lebanon-Syria border in Lebanese territory on 10 March. The fighting occurred in an area between Ras Baalbek and Al-Qaa in the Bekaa governorate and left one soldier and eight militants dead. A further eight soldiers were also wounded. Non-state armed groups, including fighters linked to IS, maintain a presence in a number of areas along the shared Syria-Lebanon border. These armed groups are predominantly occupied with the ongoing Syrian Civil War; however, from these locations assaults against targets in Lebanon have occurred regularly in the past. These incidents have included kidnapping and bombing operations. In response, the Lebanese military has deployed forces to the shared border to safeguard towns and repulse the militants. Associated clashes have occurred regularly. Clients are advised against all travel to within 15km of the shared border with Syria in the Lebanese governorates of North and Bekaa. Clients in this area should travel with a security escort. Pre-travel security risk assessments are essential as are comprehensive crisis management, including evacuation, plans.

SOUTH AFRICA(PRETORIA) - The opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has called for protest action in the city of Pretoria, South Africa, on 10 March. Participants are anticipated to embark on a protest march from an undisclosed location to the University of Pretoria in Hatfield. Authorities have warned against all travel on Lynnwood Road between 06:00 and 22:00 local time. Further information regarding the protest is unavailable. Protests at universities across South Africa, over a range of issues, have become increasingly common in recent months, with several of these resulting in violence. Recent student-led protests have been marred by clashes between participants, police and private security personnel; as such, the possibility of further incidents occurring at associated protests cannot be discounted. Persons operating in Pretoria, and particularly at or near tertiary institutions, are advised to avoid the affected area, as well as all street protests or related gatherings, as a precaution.

BAHRAIN(SITRA, A'ALI & MALKIYA) - The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned of protests in parts of Bahrain on 10 and 11 March. On 10 March, unauthorised protests are anticipated in A'ali from 16:00 local time and in Sitra from 20:15. Protests are also anticipated in Malkiya from 16:30 on 11 March. Further information has not been disclosed. The planned gatherings are likely being arranged by members of the predominantly Shiite Muslim opposition. These groups regularly call for and hold demonstrations in the country. They are demanding political reforms and a greater devolution of power to elected bodies. The risk of violence at all events is considered elevated and increases further if protesters attempt to march into the capital, Manama, as well as to Sunni areas, along major roads. The risk also increases if militant elements within the Shiite community conduct further low-level attacks against state or Sunni minority interests. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, excluding the capital, the Bahrain International Airport and main roads leading from the airport to the capital. Persons in the country should avoid all street protests as a precaution. Travel should be avoided at night, particularly in areas outside of the capital, the airport and main roads leading between the two.

CHILE(SANTIAGO) - Activists have called for a protest in Chile's capital, Santiago, on 11 March. The protest, which is being held in response to a variety of socio-economic concerns, will be held between 18:00 and 19:00 local time in the vicinity of Parque Almagro and La Moneda. The anticipated size of the forthcoming gathering is unclear; however, persons in the city on 11 March should plan for possible road travel disruptions in the affected area during the evening. The risk of low-level confrontations between the police and protesters exists. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

MALDIVES(MALE) - The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is expected to hold a protest in Male, the capital of the Maldives, on 11 March. The event has been organised to demand the release of former president, Mohamed Nasheed, amid other demands. The rally is scheduled to take place on Chaandhanee Magu from 16:15 local time. The protest is likely to be accompanied by heightened security measures; precedent suggests that the rally will be well attended. Political tensions in the Maldives have escalated sharply following the trial and subsequent imprisonment of Nasheed, ostensibly on terrorism charges, in March 2015. Nasheed is the leader of the MDP, which is the largest opposition political party in the Maldives. Nasheed claims he resigned in 2012 after being coerced to do so by security force members loyal to the regime of former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Although he was released under house arrest two months later, he was sent back to prison in late August. Nasheed's supporters assert that the charges brought against him are politically motivated. Precedent suggests that the threat of violence at all protests, especially those carrying an anti-government sentiment, is elevated. Security forces are likely to use heavy-handed tactics to disperse crowds and in dealing with dissent. Given the expected size of the protest, disruptions to travel in Male are expected. Clients in the Maldives, particularly in Male, on 11 March are advised to monitor local media closely for developments regarding the protest, and should avoid all street protests as a precaution.

PERU(LIMA) - A protest march is expected to take place in Peru's capital, Lima, on 11 March. The protest, initiated by activist group Colectivo Dignidad, is scheduled to commence at the Plaza San Martin at 17:00 local time. Participants are expected to proceed to the Ojo Que Llora monument in Campo de Marte. The event has been scheduled in opposition to the candidacy of Fuerza Popular party leader, Keiko Fujimori in the upcoming election on 10 April. Keiko Fujimori has faced criticism amid claims of campaign fraud and violations in recent weeks. Additionally, the presidential candidate's father, former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, is currently serving a 25 year prison sentence due to human rights violations, criminal and bribery charges. Given the contentious nature of Keiko's candidacy, the protest is expected to be well attended. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated along the protest route and affected sites. Additionally, the possibility of low-level incidents of violence cannot be discounted. Persons in Lima on 11 March are advised to make allowances for localised travel disruptions and avoid all large street gatherings as a precaution against civil unrest. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for related political developments and updates on potential upcoming protests in the run up to the election on 10 April.

PERU(LIMA) - Activists and members of the March for Life movement have called for a pro-life march in Peru's capital, Lima, on 12 March. Participants are anticipated to gather at the Javier Prado and Brazil Avenue junction in the city's Magdalena del Mar district at 15:00 local time. The march has been called in defence of unborn life. The upcoming protest is anticipated to be well attended. Additional security measures have been put in place, including road closures in the vicinity of the protest march. Further information is not available. Although the protest march is expected to conclude peacefully, clients should nonetheless avoid all related gatherings as the possibility of civil unrest cannot be discounted. Furthermore, as the event is expected to result in significant travel disruptions, clients should make allowances for delays and plan accordingly. Clients in Lima on 12 March should avoid all street gatherings and anticipate travel disruptions in the vicinity of the aforementioned area.

SYRIA(NORTHERN CITIES & TOWNS) - The anniversary of the start of the 2004 Qamishli riots in north eastern Syria falls on 12 March. The day commemorates clashes between Arab and Kurd groups during a football match on 12 March, which later led the Syrian government to deploy its armed forces. Subsequent violence between 12 and 14 March left 30 Kurds dead and hundreds more displaced in towns across the Kurdish north of the country. The possibility of related commemorative demonstrations in Kurd towns and cities in northern Syria from 12 to 14 March exists. Northern Syria is largely dominated by Kurdish forces. Since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 Kurd militia and allied groups have captured a number of towns and cities. Fighting is ongoing between these forces and Islamic State (IS) militants and other rebel groupings in many areas. Should commemorative events be held these are likely in areas away from the conflict front lines and in main cities, such as Qamishli, Kobani, Tal Abayd, Afrin and Al-Hasakah. In areas where Syrian government forces maintain a presence, such as Al-Hasakah and Qamishli, the risk of confrontations with protesters is high. Anti-Kurd militants may also seek to escalate attacks during the anniversary period. Clients are advised against all travel to Syria. Persons operating in the Kurdish-controlled north should travel with a security escort and maintain a heightened level of personal security awareness. All large public gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

EGYPT - Egypt's Doctor's Syndicate, a body representing medical practitioners, has called for rallies at medical facilities across the country on 12 and 19 March to protest against alleged assaults by security force officials against health workers. The anticipated agitation is the latest protest by medical workers. Protests to date have been largely peaceful, albeit disruptive, near health facilities. The threat of confrontations between police and protesters exists; however, should confrontations occur, they are likely to be low-level. Further localised road travel disruptions in the vicinity of major hospitals should be anticipated at times on 12 and 19 March. Clients operating near or at medical facilities on the anticipated protest days should avoid all related demonstrations as a precaution.

NIGER - Niger will hold a presidential run-off election on 20 March. Following the initial round, held on 21 February, the two top candidates were President Mahamadou Issoufou (48 percent of the vote) and opposition leader Hama Amadou (17 percent of the vote). Amadou came second despite currently being incarcerated. He has been detained since November on human trafficking charges; he alleges the charges are politically-motivated. On 8 March, the opposition Coalition for an Alternative, which supports Amadou's candidacy, announced that it would boycott the run-off poll, citing election fraud and Amadou's continued detention. The coalition has also asked its members to suspend participating in national assembly sessions, and the national election commission. Amadou is expected to stand trial on 23 March, following the run-off poll. The election period has been closely contested; however, the continued detention of Amadou has increased political tensions considerably. Given the opposition's intention to boycott the forthcoming poll, Issoufou is likely to be re-elected for a second five-year term. There is an elevated risk of politically motivated protests ahead of and after the run-off election in cities and towns across the country, including in the capital, Niamey. These are likely to be led by the opposition or supporters of Issoufou. The detention and anticipated trial of Amadou may also be a catalyst for opposition protests. Should he be convicted, an escalation in opposition civil unrest could occur. Note that should the state continue with the run-off poll on 20 March, increased security measures are anticipated ahead of and on election day. These measures could include border closures, disruptions to air transport, increased security patrols in major cities and checkpoints near polling stations, government buildings and along major roads. Due to various security concerns, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to most of Niger, including Niamey. Travellers are also advised against all travel to areas located within a 50km radius of Niger's shared border with Nigeria in the administrative regions of Diffa and Zinder, and against all travel to areas located within a 100km radius of Niger's shared borders with Chad, Algeria, Libya and Mali. Clients in the country during the election period should monitor local developments closely, particularly with regard to potential protest sites. All large public gatherings should be avoided as a precaution.

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