Sub Saharan Africa

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism.  Terrorists have been involved in kidnaps in the region and we believe that further kidnap attacks are likely.  Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) operate directly or through criminal gangs who carry out kidnappings on their behalf or pass on their kidnap victims for monetary gain.  Recent kidnaps include:

 

 

Niger remains economically depressed and there is a risk to travellers from criminal elements throughout the country.

We advise increased caution when travelling out of Niamey by road.  Armed bandits are believed to operate outside of Niamey and have kidnapped Westerners in the past (two Canadian diplomats were abducted 25 miles outside of Niamey on 14 December 2008).  Foreign nationals have been kidnapped before in Niger, mainly in the north and east of the country and in the border region with Mali (where a British national was abducted in January 2009).  As with travel to other parts of Niger (see Local Travel below) you should travel in convoy and with a local guide.  You should seek advice from the police for all travel out of Niamey.

 

Extreme poverty means that levels of crime, especially in the capital Niamey, are high.  Thefts, robberies and residential break-ins can occur at any time.  The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Niger is theft.  These crimes are common day or night.  You should therefore take precautions to keep safe important items such as money, passports, jewellery and mobile phones.  The areas around the Gaweye Hotel, National Museum and Petit Marché in Niamey are particularly prone to muggings and you should not walk alone there, or cross the Kennedy Bridge on foot at any time.  Walking at night is not recommended due to the lack of street lighting.

Caution should be taken when travelling in Niamey at night. On the night of 8 January 2008, a car was blown up by a landmine, killing one person and seriously injuring another. It is not known who was responsible. A second, unexploded landmine, was also recovered.

 

Car thieves often target off-road vehicles.  Take elementary precautions such as ensuring car doors are locked at all times.  Do not walk alone after dark, even in town.

Banditry, smuggling and other criminal activity remains in border areas (e.g.  Algeria-Mali-Niger, Nigeria-Chad-Niger) and can constitute a real risk to travellers, especially after dark.

Bandits are thought to be operating in the border area with Nigeria south of Zinder.  You should take special care and avoid crossing the border with Nigeria during the hours of darkness.

In August 2006, a group of tourists, including 21 Italians, was kidnapped in the desert area of south east Niger, near Lake Chad and the border with Chad.  Most were freed shortly afterwards, but the remaining two were not released until 12 October 2006.

Attacks against tourists are known to take place at El Meki between Agadez and Timia.  The Aïr and Ténéré regions are particularly prone to attacks.  Whenever possible, you should travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles accompanied by a local guide and a member of the security forces.  (See also ‘Local Travel’).  There have also been incidents of Nigeriens being killed in the course of hold-ups and robberies on public transport buses travelling between Tahoua and Agadez and between Agadez and Arlit.

In January 2007, three people, including members of the security forces, were reported to have been killed and several more injured when bandits attacked a convoy of trucks between Aneye and Seguedine.  A number of hostages were held briefly before being released, unharmed, following combined intervention by the Niger and Chad security forces.  On 8 February 2007, at least three people were killed when a group of armed assailants attacked a military camp at Iferouane near the Algerian border.  Order was subsequently restored by the security forces.

Scams

British nationals resident in the UK and European nations are increasingly becoming targets by scam artists operating in West Africa.  The scams come in many forms: romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities, the facilitation of money (for internet dating scams see below), and can pose great financial loss to victims.  Relatives or friends in the UK should first check with the person who has travelled to West Africa before becoming involved in the transfer of money.  If you are concerned about a British national who has travelled to Niger you should contact the Consular Section of the British High Commission, Accra. Schemes in operation by West African criminal networks are designed to facilitate victims parting with money.

British nationals are also being targeted by West African scam artists through internet based dating sites. The scam artists assume the false identity of a foreign national (sometimes British) working and living in West Africa. In some instances the impostor has informed their foreign friend that they have been hospitalised or arrested and need money quickly. In other cases foreigners have come to West Africa to meet the person with whom they have been in contact only to be kidnapped and become the victim of financial extortion.

You will wish to treat with considerable caution any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa. For further information on advance fee fraud please see Metropolitan Police Service - Fraud Alert.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Niger Country Profile

The political situation is generally stable.  In Niamey, demonstrations involving students and public sector workers are fairly frequent.  Although these are, for the most part, peaceful, they can on occasion turn violent and you should take care to avoid all crowds and demonstrations.

 

A rebel group, the MNJ, has been active in the North around Agadez since January 2007.  The government has declared a state of emergency covering the area where the MNJ is active which imposes movement restrictions and media controls.

Local Travel

If you plan to travel within Niger you should be aware that the local authorities are extremely sensitive with regard to foreigners travelling out of Tahoua to other parts of Niger in the East and the North. There is a risk of arrest and deportation for even enquiring about travel to Agadez, given the local security situation in that region.  

Due to continued sporadic incidents of banditry, you should avoid all travel between towns by road at night.  Following attacks by the MNJ armed groups in the North involving the use of land mines, we advise against all travel to the Aïr Massif region (including Iferouane) and on the road linking Assamaka, Arlit and Agadez.  The Governor of the city of Agadez has banned vehicles without a security forces escort from leaving the city after 1600 hrs.  Following an attack on Agadez airport in June 2007 and the abduction, south of Agadez, of a foreign engineer by the MNJ armed group (subsequently released) you are also advised against all travel to Agadez and north of the city of Abalack. In addition you are advised against all travel to the provinces of Talak and Tahoua, the area of Niamey province to the north of Niamey and east of the Niger River, including the road from Niamey to Gao and the road from Niamey to Menaka. 

We also advise extreme caution when travelling to the following areas:

The roads listed below in northern Niger are permanently closed to tourists, except with special authorisation:

You should always seek local advice and use local travel agents and guides when travelling outside main towns and in desert areas.  We recommend using an approved local travel agent who can arrange all the necessary permits for your journey and leave details of your itinerary with the local authorities.  You should carry an independent satellite phone when travelling off the beaten track.  You should prepare well in advance for any journey and ensure that you have a sufficient supply of drinking water and food.

Road Travel

UK driving licences are not valid.  If you plan to drive in Niger, you should obtain an international driving licence.  This is valid for a period of three months, after which you need to obtain a Niger licence.  To obtain this you are required to hand over your UK (not international) licence, which will be returned to you at the end of your stay.  It is important to carry car papers and ID when travelling, especially on journeys outside of the main towns.

The main roads between Niamey and other large towns are generally satisfactory by African standards.  Buses operate on routes between Niamey and other large towns, but distances are long and buses are prone to mechanical failure.  Other risks include potholes, poorly lit oncoming vehicles and the lack of medical facilities in the case of an accident.  In Niamey only main roads are tarmacked and street lighting is poor.  Taxis are available but, like other vehicles, are often in unsound mechanical condition.  Driving standards are poor.

 

On 8 January 2008, a car drove over a landmine in Niamey, killing one person and injuring another.  There have also been reports of land mines being used in Burkina Faso on the road between Ouagadougou and Niamey.  Local advice should be sought before making this journey.

In the case of an accident, you should go immediately to the nearest police station to file a report:  remaining on the spot risks being taken to task, sometimes violently, by the local population.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel
 

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

You should re-confirm onward/return flights 72 hours in advance.

For more general information see Airline Security.