The United States has placed 11 African countries under its highest level 4 travel advisory, warning American citizens against visiting destinations facing serious security threats ranging from terrorism and kidnapping to armed conflict, civil unrest and inadequate healthcare.
- The US has issued its highest Level 4 'Do not travel' advisory for 11 African countries due to serious security risks.
- Reasons for the warnings include terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, armed conflict, and inadequate healthcare.
- The countries affected are Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
- The advisories are tailored to each destination, with threats and risk levels varying by location within countries.
The US Department of State’s Level 4: “Do not travel” advisory is the most severe of its four travel warning categories.
The department says conditions in these destinations pose potentially life-threatening risks and that US authorities may have limited or no ability to assist citizens during an emergency.
According to the department’s travel advisory database, the 11 African countries placed on the Level 4 travel warning as of October 2026 are Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
The 11 countries under the highest travel warning
Most of the 11 countries face overlapping security challenges, including armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping and political instability.
From jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel to the war in Sudan and persistent militant violence in Somalia, these crises have weakened security in parts of their territories. Limited healthcare, poor infrastructure and restricted emergency assistance further compound the risks for foreign travellers.
1. Burkina Faso
The US cites terrorism, crime, kidnapping and health risks amid persistent militant violence and insecurity.
2. Central African Republic
The advisory reflects threats linked to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and limited access to healthcare.
3. Chad
Security concerns include terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and other threats, including risks associated with landmines.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The US warns of unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism and health risks, particularly in areas affected by armed conflict.
5. Libya
Political instability, armed groups, crime, terrorism and kidnapping continue to pose serious risks to travellers.
6. Mali
The advisory cites terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and health risks amid insecurity across the country.
7. Niger
Terrorism, kidnapping, crime and political and security instability underpin the US warning.
8. Somalia
The US cites terrorism, kidnapping, crime, unrest and health threats as major risks to American travellers.
9. South Sudan
The advisory highlights crime, kidnapping, civil unrest, health risks and other security threats.
10. Sudan
The ongoing war, alongside crime, kidnapping, unrest and limited healthcare access, makes travel particularly dangerous.
11. Uganda
The US advisory cites terrorism, crime and health risks.
The advisories do not mean every area of these countries faces identical conditions. The State Department assesses risks to US citizens, and the reasons for its warnings vary by destination.
The Level 4 designation is a travel-safety assessment rather than a ranking of the world’s most dangerous countries. It also does not mean that the US has prohibited travel by other nationalities.
The list highlights the range of security challenges confronting parts of Africa in 2026, from jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa to civil war in Sudan and instability in parts of Central Africa.