Sub Saharan Africa

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• We advise against all travel to the following parts of Sudan: the Red Sea State border with Eritrea, Darfur except the three State capitals of El Geneina, Nyala and El Fasher, Abyei in South Kordofan, within 40kms inside of  Southern Sudan’s borders. See the relevant Local Travel section of this advice for more details.

• We advise against all but essential travel to the following parts of Sudan: El Geneina, Nyala and El Fasher in Darfur ,all parts of southern Sudan (including Juba), areas west of the towns of an-Nahud and al-Fula in North Kordofan up to the Darfur border.  See the relevant Local Travel section of this advice for more details.

• The security situation in Darfur remains unstable. Banditry is widespread. There have been several incidents involving NGO and UN staff and some African Union peace monitoring troops have been killed. There have been a number of kidnappings between March and October involving NGO workers and peace-keepers in Darfur. You should exercise a high level of vigilance and extreme caution at all times. See the Local Travel (Darfur and North Kordofan) sections of this travel for more details.

• The International Criminal Court announced on 4 March 2009 its decision to issue an arrest warrant for President Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. There have been a number of rallies and demonstrations around Khartoum and other towns since the announcement. Those currently in or considering travel to Sudan should keep abreast of the latest situation, check the Travel Advice regularly, and register using our LOCATE service and with your local Embassy warden. See the Safety and Security section of this travel for more details. You should be aware that the capacity of the Embassy to assist in times of crisis will be limited and we recommend that you consider your own travel arrangements should there be the need to leave at short notice, ensuring you have up-to-date travel documents and visas.

• The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 brought to an end the north-south civil war.  However, some areas remain tense. You should remain vigilant and avoid demonstrations or similar large gatherings in public places.  See the Political Situation section of this advice for more details.

• Southern Sudan remains volatile with regular outbreaks of violence and lawlessness. Since the beginning of 2009 there have been major incidents involving loss of life, including Malakal / Upper Nile State and Jonglei. Hundreds of people were killed in fighting in Jonglei State in August 2009 and tensions remain high.

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

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6.  The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details.  You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  

• 16 British nationals required consular assistance in Sudan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (1 case); and arrests, for a variety of offences (8 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (13 cases).  
  
  
• 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.