Sub Saharan Africa

Chad
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 25 November 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the crime and local travel sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Incidents of petty theft and theft from vehicles occur. You should take sensible personal security precautions. We recommend that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public and avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns. You should avoid walking around and travelling at night.

There are also reports of armed robbery, sometimes targeting expatriates. Highway bandits are known to operate in Chad. There is a high level of banditry, often involving excessive violence, throughout eastern Chad.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Chad Country Profile

There were clashes between the Chadian army and armed rebels in early May 2009, around the Am-Dam and Goz Beida area in eastern Chad. Ongoing rebel attacks cannot be ruled out, particularly in eastern Chad, though decrease in likelihood during rainy season (July-October).

Fighting previously broke out on 2 February 2008 between rebel forces who entered N'Djamena, and Government troops; a number of foreign nationals were evacuated from Chad as a result. Further rebel attacks occurred between 13 and 18 June 2008, but were confined to eastern Chad, around the Biltine and Am Zoer areas, and did not reach N'Djamena. The political and security situation remains uncertain, and could change rapidly. You should remain abreast of political developments.

Sudan and Chad maintain diplomatic relations, but tensions between the two countries remain high.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to the capital, N'Djamena and against all travel to other regions in Chad. If you decide to travel to Chad, you should exercise caution, seek local advice regularly, where possible, check this travel advice regularly and ensure you register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon. If you are in Chad you should remain vigilant at all time sand in particular, avoid travelling at night.

There is no British Embassy in Chad. If you are not registered with the British High Commission you should register on-line at LOCATE or contact the the main switchboard, 00 237 22 22 05 45.

As a result of the conflict in Darfur and inter-ethnic violence in the region, over 280,000 Sudanese refugees and 180,000 internally displaced persons live in and around camps in eastern Chad. The humanitarian situation is grave and the security situation extremely unstable, with reports of fighting spilling across the border and rebel activity in this area. There are also high levels of banditry in eastern Chad, with acts of violent crime being committed including robbery, rape, kidnap and murder.

The border between Chad and Sudan is subject to closure at little notice. The borders with CAR and Libya are also subject to closure. The area bordering Libya is heavily land-mined and the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti provinces in the north remain unsafe. Likewise, the border areas with the CAR in the south are to be avoided, and the tri-border area where Chad, Sudan and CAR meet is particularly dangerous.

Road Travel

You should avoid all travel to eastern Chad, where there has been significant rebel activity. The area is also renowned for its roadblocks, which are frequently used to facilitate car-jackings, some of which have proved fatal.

For travel outside the capital, you require authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior, which is normally granted without difficulty after a few days. But roads are poor and often impassable during the rainy season (July-October), especially in the south. You should travel in convoy, keep doors locked and carry spare fuel and supplies. Due to the activity of highway bandits, you should not travel by road after dark.

Police checkpoints are common: you may be asked to show your passport, driving licence and vehicle registration documents.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see Airline Security.

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Contacts

Cameroon, British High Commission, Yaoundé

Address:

British High Commission
Avenue Winston Churchill
BP 547

Telephone:

(237) 2222 05 45
(237) 2222 07 96

Fax:

(237) 2222 01 48

Email: BHC.yaounde@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT: Mon-Thurs: 0645 - 1145, 1300 - 1445
Fri: 0645 - 1245
Local: Mon-Thurs: 0745 - 1245, 1400 - 1545
Fri: 0745 - 1345

Website: http://ukincameroon.fco.gov.uk/en/

LOCATE: Register with us

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