Reconsider
travel to Sudan due to crime, terrorism,
civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
Country Summary: Crime, such as
kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking can occur. This type of crime is more frequent outside
of Khartoum.
Members
of known terrorist groups continue to be in Sudan and could pose a threat. Terrorist groups in Sudan may harm Westerners
and Western interests through suicide operations, bombings, shootings, and
kidnappings. They may attack with little
or no warning, targeting foreign and local government facilities, and areas
frequented by Westerners.
Demonstrations
can occur with no warning. Recent
demonstrations in Khartoum have been planned and peaceful with no police
response. However, police and other
security forces may respond to public demonstrations with violence. Foreigners could be targeted in reaction to
national and international events.
Violence
continues along the border between Chad and Sudan and areas that border South
Sudan (including the disputed Abyei area).
Armed opposition groups are active in Central Darfur state and parts of
Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.
The U.S. government has limited
ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Sudan, as U.S.
government employees must obtain special authorization from the Sudanese
government to travel outside of Khartoum. The U.S. Embassy requires U.S. government
personnel in Sudan to use armored vehicles for official travel.
Read
the Safety and Security section on the country information
page.
If
you decide to travel to Sudan:
•
Visit
our website for Travel to
High-Risk Areas.
•
Have
evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
•
Draft
a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or a power of
attorney.
•
Discuss
a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property,
belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, and
the like.
•
Share
important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones
so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to
the United States. Find a suggested
list of such documents here.
•
Be
sure to appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with
hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and Members
of Congress, if you are taken hostage or detained.
•
Establish
a proof of life protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken
hostage, your loved ones can know specific questions and answers to ask the
hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive and to rule out a hoax.
•
Leave
DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family
to access them.
•
Erase
any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media
pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices that could be considered
controversial or provocative by local groups.
•
Leave
your expensive/sentimental belongings behind.
•
Enroll
in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to
locate you in an emergency.
•
Follow
the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
•
Review
the Crime and Safety
Report
for Sudan.
•
U.S. citizens who
travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency
situations. Review the Traveler’s
Checklist.
