The Canadian government has announced its decision to issue a travel alert warning against 17 African countries over a range of issues.
The new guidance advises against non-essential travel or, in some cases, all travel to a list of 17 African countries, citing a broad range of security and health risks, including Marburg outbreaks, terrorism, and rampant kidnappings.
Travelers planning visits to these areas are advised to review their itineraries carefully for potential disruptions.
Canada‘s recent travel alert warnings against 17 African countries were divided into two categories.
Eight countries are under the strictest guidance; the “Avoid all travel” category due to what the Canadian government described as pervasive threats that compromise safety across their territories.
These include South Sudan, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, and Sudan.
Canada said in the travel alert warning: “Tourists are strongly urged to forgo any plans involving these destinations, as conditions remain highly volatile with limited support for emergencies. Individuals already present should prioritize safe departures through coordinated channels to mitigate ongoing perils.”
The remaining nine nations fall into the “Avoid non-essential travel” classification, often accompanied by targeted regional warnings for heightened vigilance.
Affected countries are Madagascar, Ethiopia, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Eritrea, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
The alert added: “Leisure seekers must weigh the essentiality of their journeys against potential disruptions from localized conflicts or unrest. Preparations should incorporate flexible alternatives and real-time monitoring to safeguard against abrupt changes in stability.”
“Political transitions unfold with instability, often leading to widespread unrest and demonstrations. Crime rates have shown increases in certain urban and rural settings, complicating daily movements for outsiders. These factors collectively elevate the overall threat profile for those entering the regions. Cross-border dynamics further amplify vulnerabilities, as influences from neighboring areas spill over into travel routes.”
Canada’s travel alert warning against 17 African countries comes as the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other Western countries have issued the same.
The U.S. State Department had flagged several African countries at Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”)—including Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—due to conflict and kidnapping risks. Others, like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania, sit at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) for unrest and health threats.
The UK’s FCDO echoed this, advising against all travel to parts of Ethiopia and all but essential travel to border zones in Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, citing violence and militias. Australia’s Smartraveller warns “Do Not Travel” to Chad and “Reconsider Need” for Tanzania, while urging high caution for Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Germany’s Auswärtiges Amt and France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintain high-risk designations for overlapping hotspots like Mali and Sudan, emphasizing terrorism and instability in recent briefings, though full lists align closely with Western peers.
