The United States has warned its citizens against travelling to 11 African countries, citing threats ranging from terrorism and kidnapping to armed conflict, violent crime and health emergencies.
The countries are Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
They are classified under Level 4 of the US Department of State’s four-tier travel advisory system, the highest warning level, which urges American citizens not to travel to the affected destinations.
The advisories reflect varying security and health challenges across the countries, with risks differing from one location to another.
In Burkina Faso, the US warning highlights terrorism, kidnapping, criminal activity and health concerns amid persistent insecurity.
The Central African Republic is also listed because of terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and health risks. The US government has cautioned that its ability to provide emergency assistance to American citizens there is limited.
Chad faces similar concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, landmines and inadequate healthcare facilities. Emergency assistance for Americans outside the capital, N’Djamena, is particularly limited.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the advisory identifies crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest and health emergencies as major concerns. Fighting involving armed groups continues to affect parts of the country, particularly in the east.
Libya remains under the highest warning level because of armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping, criminal activity and political instability, which also constrain the provision of emergency consular assistance.
Mali and Niger are listed amid continuing security challenges in the Sahel region, where militant attacks, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest remain significant concerns.
Somalia’s advisory cites terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest and health risks, while South Sudan faces threats linked to criminal activity, kidnapping, instability and limited access to medical services.
Sudan’s ongoing conflict has further heightened the dangers for travellers, with armed violence, crime, kidnapping, terrorism and the disruption of essential services contributing to the security concerns.
Uganda is also classified under Level 4, with the US citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest and health risks. An advisory issued on June 4, 2026, highlighted restrictions on emergency consular assistance for American citizens in connection with the Ebola outbreak.
According to the US Department of State, travel advisories are divided into four levels. Level 1 advises travellers to exercise normal precautions, Level 2 recommends increased caution, while Level 3 urges Americans to reconsider travel. Level 4 advises against travelling to a destination.
The highest warning does not mean every location within the affected countries faces identical threats. Rather, it reflects the US government’s assessment of serious risks that could endanger its citizens.
The advisories are intended to guide American travellers and do not automatically prohibit citizens of other countries from visiting the destinations.
The US government advises travellers to consult official travel guidance before departure, as security conditions, health threats and the availability of emergency assistance can change.
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