Published: April 25, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Chad Travel Advisory and Chad Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy N’Djamena:
Chagoua Roundpoint, B.P. 413, N’Djamena.
Tel: +235-2251-5017.
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 0730-1700 and Friday from 0730-1230.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Chad does not have an OSAC Country Chapter.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Chad Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Do not travel to the Lake Chad region due to terrorism or borders with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, or Sudan due to armed conflict and minefields.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed N’Djamena as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Chad, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Criminals occasionally target expatriates for opportunistic crimes, including petty theft and armed robbery.
Home invasions directed at expatriates remain rare, though most expatriates employ residential guards. Robberies of expatriate residences involving local domestic employees also occur. Workplace theft is prevalent due to economic stagnation, which has resulted in widespread salary reductions and unpaid wages.
Remain vigilant at public gatherings and any locations expatriates frequent, including markets, hotels, restaurants, bars, and places of worship. The trend has shifted from primarily nighttime occurrences to both day and night.
Criminals may target drivers and passengers for crimes of opportunity in N’Djamena and throughout the country. Thieves may open unlocked doors or reach through open windows to steal items left in plain sight. In some cases, criminals may stage accidents to divert attention or increase the vulnerability of potential victims. Criminals may follow expatriates from major markets or grocery stores to rob them upon arrival at their destination. Drivers should drop passengers within a compound if possible; otherwise, passengers should remain in the vehicle until the compound door is open, while keeping watch for any potential attackers lying in wait.
Carjacking and roadside robbery/extortion are more prevalent outside of N’Djamena, but these crimes occur throughout the country. The frequency and severity of carjackings are on the rise nationwide, with UN and NGO aid workers often being targeted.
Banditry remains a problem outside of major towns.
Upticks in crime historically occur around holidays throughout Chad, particularly around Eid-al-Fitr and during the Christmas season.
Poachers have targeted rangers at Zakouma National Park. Heed all instructions given by guides or trackers.
Travel in front of the Presidential Palace Compound on Avenue Felic Eboue in N’Djamena should be avoided.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Chad, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
Kidnapping of Westerners is a major a concern following an incident in which kidnappers took a French-Australian expatriate in 2022 in the northeastern Wadi Fira province and a Polish and mexican doctor in February 2024 from a hospital located in the Tandjile Region. Kidnappings tend to involve local communities and tribes that straddle the border. Kidnapping for ransom is especially prevalent along Chad’s borders with Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed N’Djamena as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Chad, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Chad.
The potential exists for terrorist activity throughout Chad. Violent extremist organizations (e.g., Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and al-Qa’ida-affiliated groups) can easily cross borders and target Westerners, local security forces, and civilians in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa actions have displaced thousands of Chadians. A state of emergency continues in the Lake Chad region. Chad remains vulnerable to attacks by Boko Haram, an extremist group based in northeast Nigeria, and its offshoot ISIS–West Africa. In 2020, Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa conducted frequent attacks against Chadian civilians and military forces in the Lake Chad region. ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram have targeted U.S. citizen missionaries in northern Nigeria, the Far North Region of Cameroon, and Niger.
Because of the unpredictable security situation, U.S. Embassy personnel are subject to restrictions when traveling in certain areas of N’Djamena as well as outside of the capital, including the Lake Chad Basin.
Additionally, armed non-governmental groups operate along all of Chad’s borders. The ongoing war in Sudan has led to a refugee crisis in Chad. Rapid Security Forces (RSF) and affiliates operating in the neighboring Darfur region has increased the number of refugee arrivals into Chad. In August 2023, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) announced an end to the 2021 ceasefire with the Chadian government. Former President Idriss Deby was killed in clashes between Chadian security forces and FACT militants in April 2021.
On January 8, a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack in N’Djamena. The attackers targeted multiple locations, including the Presidential Palace and public areas, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread panic. The Chadian security forces responded quickly, engaging the assailants and restoring order.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed N’Djamena as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Chad, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Chad’s recent history is one of political tensions, rebellions, and coup attempts. Chad historically has a strong executive branch, headed until recently by now-deceased President Idriss Déby Itno and dominated by his Zaghawa ethnic group, which controlled the political landscape.
Following the presidential election in May 2024, then-interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby was declared the winner. His main challenger, Prime Minister Succes Masra, contested the results and declared himself the winner in a separate social media announcement. The period leading up to the election and the days surrounding the vote were marked by significant violence and unrest.
On election day, violence erupted in the southern city of Moundou, resulting in the death of a man attempting to cast his ballot. The tense atmosphere continued after the election results were announced, with celebratory gunfire by security forces and civilians breaking out across N’Djamena. According to local media reports, this celebratory gunfire tragically resulted in the deaths of at least seven people.
Protests & Demonstrations
Public demonstrations have been illegal since 2016. When demonstrations do occur, they are under tight police supervision or quickly dispersed by police or security forces. Recently, some demonstrations have been permitted, but usually only those of a topic agreeable to the TMC.
In October 2022 protesters organized in N’Djamena and southern Chad (including Moundou, Doba, and Sarh) to protest the decision of the TMC to extend the transition period by an additional two years, delaying elections until 2024. Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces, resulting in at least 50 deaths and 300 injuries.
Individuals participating in demonstrations/crowds may throw rocks at random passers-by, vehicles, and security forces, which may escalate the situation. Security forces typically react quickly and harshly to protest activities and frequently used teargas and/or warning shots to disperse demonstrators. Checkpoints may become more frequent during times of protest; police presence may increase or become more visible around such activities. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds, as even peaceful gatherings can turn violent unexpectedly, and as large crowds attract petty criminals and pickpockets.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
The Chadian government and people are generally friendly towards U.S. citizens, but violent extremist groups in the Lake Chad region, the Sahel, and in southern Chad have expressed or signaled their intention to target Westerners.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Chad is 2020 (from a cell phone) or +235-6627-7090.
The National Army of Chad, National Gendarmerie, Chadian National Police (PN), Chadian National Nomadic Guard (GNNT), and National Security Agency (ANS) are responsible for internal security. The National Police is responsible for day-to-day law enforcement within major cities while the National Gendarmerie and the National and Nomadic Guard of Chad exercise law enforcement powers in rural areas. A specialized gendarmerie unit, the Detachment for the Protection of Humanitarian Workers and Refugees, is responsible for security in refugee camps for refugees and humanitarian workers alike. The National Army of Chad reports to the Ministry delegated to the Presidency in Charge of Armed Forces, Veterans, and War Victims. The national police, gendarmerie, GNNT, immigration police, and Detachment for the Protection of Humanitarian Workers and Refugees report to the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration. The National Security Agency reports directly to the president. Civilian authorities at times do not maintain effective control of the security forces, and security force members have committed some abuses.
Police Response
Police response and emergency services vary depending on the service area, with more capabilities in major cities. Police response is generally good in N’Djamena but remains limited in peripheral areas. Police and emergency response times are slower than in Western countries.
Police officers may request that drivers pay fines for infractions directly to them, including after an accident. Avoid paying fines directly to police officers. If you refuse to pay directly, the police officer will typically direct you to transport them to the nearest police station to pay, since most police do not have vehicles and/or gas.
Local security force posture around the Presidential Palace Compound on Avenue Félix Éboué in N’Djamena remains elevated. It is best to avoid the area.
Chad is not a signatory to the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. However, the Government of Chad does fulfill generally accepted responsibilities of signatories by providing for the safety and security of foreign citizens, officials, diplomatic missions, and foreign interests in the country. If security forces detain or arrest a U.S. citizen, they should request that the police contact the U.S. Embassy; they may need to repeat the request.
Lack of actual street addresses may pose challenges when reporting an emergency. Callers should describe the location of the emergency using landmarks, which may be difficult for foreigners or anyone unfamiliar with the area. Travelers may encounter language barriers when requesting assistance; while French and Chadian Arabic are widely spoken in N’Djamena, French is less common elsewhere. Very few Chadian police officers speak English.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Chad, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Chad.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but authorities do not implement the law effectively, and corruption is pervasive at all levels of government.
According to Freedom House’s Freedom in The World report, corruption, bribery, and nepotism “are endemic.” Prominent journalists, labor leaders, and religious figures face harsh reprisals for speaking out, including arrest, prosecution, and exile. According to Freedom House, prosecutions of high-level officials are widely viewed as selective efforts to discredit those who pose a threat to the president or his allies.
Corruption is most pervasive in government procurement, the awarding of licenses or concessions, dispute settlement, regulation enforcement, customs, and taxation. Judicial corruption is a problem and hinders effective law enforcement. Security forces arbitrarily arrest travelers on pretexts of minor traffic violations to generate bribes.
Cybersecurity
There are no cybersecurity concerns specific to private-sector operations in Chad.
Import/Export Restrictions
Despite limited resources, Chadian customs officials make occasional efforts to enforce copyright laws, normally by seizing and burning counterfeit medicines, CDs, and mobile phones. However, imported counterfeit pharmaceuticals, watches, sports clothing, footwear, jeans, cosmetics, perfumes, videos, music, and other goods are available in modern stores. Avoid street vendors selling knock-off designer products. Chad does not regularly track and report on seizures of counterfeit goods.
In general, the government does not permit satellite phones or equipment for importation or use in the country without specific written permission. There are restrictions on importing certain communications equipment (e.g., satellite phones, radios). Private-sector organizations in Chad regularly use such equipment. However, do not try to import equipment without researching any approvals that may be necessary.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
