The United States has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to 11 African countries, citing security threats, armed violence, health concerns and other conditions that could endanger visitors.
The countries are listed under Level 4 of the US Department of State’s travel advisory system, which carries the warning “Do Not Travel”. It is the highest of the four categories used by the department to communicate potential risks to American travellers.
The countries named in the department’s advisory database as of October 2026 are Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
Although the countries share the same advisory level, the specific threats differ. Depending on the destination, the US warnings identify terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, armed conflict, civil unrest and health emergencies as reasons for avoiding travel.
The department also cautions that American citizens who encounter emergencies in some of the affected countries may have limited access to assistance from US officials.
Countries under the highest US travel warning
1. Burkina Faso
The US warning for Burkina Faso highlights the danger of militant attacks, kidnapping, criminal activity and health-related problems. Continued insecurity has affected movement in parts of the country, making travel particularly risky.
2. Central African Republic
Travellers are warned against visiting the Central African Republic because of security and health concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest. The US government has also indicated that its ability to assist American citizens during emergencies is restricted.
3. Chad
The advisory for Chad points to terrorism, kidnapping, criminal activity, civil unrest and landmines. Weak healthcare infrastructure is another concern. The department says emergency assistance for Americans outside N’Djamena, the capital, is extremely limited.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The DRC faces a Level 4 warning covering crime, terrorism, kidnapping, unrest and health risks. Conditions are not uniform across the country, but fighting involving armed groups continues to affect parts of the east.
5. Libya
The US advises against travel to Libya because of the threat of armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping, crime and civil unrest. The department says the security situation limits its ability to provide emergency services to American citizens there.
6. Mali
Mali’s advisory identifies terrorism, kidnapping, crime, unrest and health concerns. Militant activity and wider insecurity continue to create risks for people travelling through several areas of the country.
7. Niger
The US warning for Niger covers terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and health risks. The advisory reflects persistent security challenges in the country and the wider Sahel region, where militant attacks remain a concern.
8. Somalia
Somalia remains under the highest warning because of threats linked to terrorism, kidnapping, crime, unrest and health conditions. The department considers the security situation a serious concern for American visitors.
9. South Sudan
The US has warned its citizens against visiting South Sudan because of criminal activity, kidnapping, unrest, health concerns and other security threats. These conditions can also complicate travel and limit access to emergency support.
10. Sudan
The ongoing war in Sudan has contributed to a dangerous environment for travellers. The US advisory cites armed insecurity and other threats, including crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest and health risks. Access to medical services and emergency assistance is also a concern.
11. Uganda
Uganda is included in the Level 4 category because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest and health concerns. An advisory issued on June 4, 2026, also referred to limitations on emergency consular assistance connected with the Ebola outbreak in the region.
The US Department of State assigns travel advisories across four levels according to its assessment of conditions in each destination.
Level 1 means travellers should exercise normal precautions, while Level 2 advises increased caution. Level 3 asks Americans to reconsider travel, and Level 4 recommends that they do not travel to the destination.
The highest classification indicates that the US government considers the potential dangers serious enough to advise against visiting. It does not, however, mean that all 11 countries face identical threats or that every area within each country has the same security conditions.
The advisory is intended to guide US citizens and does not constitute a blanket travel prohibition for people from other countries.
Travellers should check the latest official guidance before departure because security conditions, health risks and the availability of consular assistance can change.