Chad: US Embassy issues travel warning regarding security concerns

Event

The United States Embassy in Chad issued a security message to citizens on June 6 warning of elevated security risks associated with ongoing sociopolitical tensions and potential terrorist activity throughout the country.

As a reminder, all travel to the Lake Chad region, including areas around Lake Chad, and to the border regions (with the Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria) should be avoided. US Embassy personnel are subject to restrictions when traveling in certain areas of N’Djamena as well as outside of the capital. All travelers are advised to take particular care in making security arrangements when traveling in the country, particularly outside of the capital.

Context

Since 2015, numerous attacks have been perpetrated by Boko Haram in Chad, especially in N'Djamena and areas around Lake Chad . This area represents the convergence point of the four countries most afflicted by the West African Islamist insurgency: Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. In May 2017, Boko Haram attacked a Chadian military base in the Lake Chad region. A radicalized Chadian also fired shots outside the US Embassy building in November 2016. In addition, kidnapping-for-ransom cases are common; in March 2017, a French citizen was abducted in eastern Chad and held for more than six weeks.

Furthermore, Chad is struggling with challenging socioeconomic conditions that lead to large protests on a regular basis, as well as other risks associated with general insecurity and unrest.

Advice

Individuals in Chad are advised to avoid all protests due to the potential for violence and to monitor the sociopolitical climate via local media reporting.

Due to the high terrorist threat, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and remain vigilant at all times, especially when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g., public transportation, train stations, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). For these and other security reasons, many Western governments advise against all travel to areas near the borders with Niger, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria, and the Lake Chad region, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the country, including N'Djamena. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to or within the country.