Chad: G5-Sahel security group to meet in N'Djamena, Feb. 15-16; protests likely.

Event

Authorities will likely increase security throughout N'Djamena ahead of the planned regional summit in the city, Feb. 15-16. N'Djamena will host members of the Group 5-Sahel (G5-Sahel) security organization, with the event focusing on security and terrorism across West Africa and the Sahel. Several West African leaders and other dignitaries will attend the event. Groups opposing the summit have called for peaceful demonstrations in the vicinity of the French Embassy in Chad and French-owned business to coincide with the summit, Feb. 15, likely in response to continued French support for the security group. Further details are currently unavailable.

Security personnel are likely to set up roadblocks and identity checks around sensitive sites and hotels in central N'Djamena. Moreover, due to the perceived increased threat of terrorism during the summit, authorities could also increase security measures near government buildings and foreign embassies. Traffic disruptions are likely in areas where heightened security measures are enforced, including on roads to and from N'Djamena International Airport (NDJ). Security personnel are also likely to close roads temporarily to prioritize official motorcade movements.

The visiting delegates will likely reduce the availability of hotel rooms, particularly at facilities with robust security procedures, and overbooking is also possible. Access to hotels used for business meetings may be restricted to guests only during the conference. The arrival and departure of foreign dignitaries could cause disruptions at NDJ, which will likely be most significant at the start and end of the summit.

Advice

Carry proper identification, and be polite and nonconfrontational if stopped at a security checkpoint. Allow additional time for transfers to and from NDJ and security clearance procedures. Avoid all protests, and limit exposure to crowded areas, if possible. Verify hotel reservations prior to traveling to N'Djamena. Confirm all meetings and seek guidance on road conditions before departing accommodations.