Chad: Uptick in highway banditry in center and east

Event

On Thursday, May 31, the French Ministry of Foreign affairs issued a security alert notifying travelers of a recent uptick in highway banditry in the center and eastern parts of the country, i.e. in the Batha, Sila, Salamat, Ouaddaï, and Wadi Fira regions. The French authorities have cautioned individuals to properly exercise appropriate security measures while traveling in these regions. Western persons and interests may be specifically targeted due to their perceived wealth.

Context

Long-distance road travel can be extremely dangerous due to the presence of armed highway bandits, who are often violent. Furthermore, an authorization from the Ministry of the Interior is required for all travel outside the capital N'Djamena.

Advice

Individuals traveling in the abovementioned areas are advised to remain vigilant, to not travel at night, and to take the necessary security precautions. Outside major cities, travel should be conducted with an all-terrain vehicle (4x4), within a convoy, and preferably with a Chadian security forces escort and adequate supplies of water, food, fuel, spare mechanic parts (tires, cables, etc.), and means of communication.

On a separate note, some Western governments advise against 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.