Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all but essential travel to areas north of Bouaké and west along a line from the towns of Seguela and Guiglo as these regions are experiencing sporadic disturbances linked to the disarmament process for the former rebel forces and the presence of armed militias.  We advise UK nationals to exercise caution when visiting Abidjan and areas of the country south of Bouaké and East along a line from the towns of Seguela and Guiglo.  See the Terrorism/Security and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
  
  

• Whilst the situation throughout most of the country is stable, there is a possibility of a deterioration of law and order around the elections, which were scheduledfor 29 November 2009, but have now been postponed to an as yet unspecified date.  Events can move quickly and localised violence can erupt at short notice.  See the Terrorism/Security section of this advice for more details.
  
  

• We are unable to provide formal consular assistance in Ivory Coast.  Nonetheless, you should register with our warden network in Abidjan (details below), and our High Commission in Accra, Ghana via LOCATE.  Should there be a serious breakdown in law and order, you should seek the assistance of other EU missions in Abidjan.
  
  

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

• 1 British national required consular assistance in Ivory Coast in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following type of incident; hospitalisations (1 case). 
  
  

• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General Insurance section of this advice and Travel insurance for more details.