The United States has placed 11 African countries under its highest travel warning, Level 4: “Do not travel”, citing serious security threats, including terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest and limited access to healthcare.
The US Department of State says conditions in the affected destinations could pose life-threatening dangers to American citizens, while its ability to provide emergency assistance may be limited or unavailable.
The countries on the list, 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 warnings reflect different security concerns across the countries, with risks varying according to location.
11 African countries under the highest US travel warning
Many of the affected countries face overlapping challenges, including armed conflict, militant attacks, kidnapping and political instability.
Jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel, the ongoing war in Sudan and persistent militant violence in Somalia have contributed to insecurity in parts of the continent. Weak infrastructure, limited healthcare services and difficulties accessing emergency assistance also increase the risks for foreign visitors.
1. Burkina Faso
The US advisory cites terrorism, crime, kidnapping and health-related risks amid continuing militant violence and insecurity.
2. Central African Republic
The country’s warning covers crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and limited access to healthcare.
3. Chad
Security concerns include terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and other threats, including landmines.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The US warns of civil unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism and health risks, particularly in areas affected by armed conflict.
5. Libya
Political instability, armed groups, crime, terrorism and kidnapping remain major concerns for travellers.
6. Mali
The advisory highlights terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and healthcare-related risks amid persistent insecurity.
7. Niger
Terrorism, kidnapping, crime and political and security instability underpin the US travel warning.
8. Somalia
The US identifies terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and health threats as major risks to American visitors.
9. South Sudan
The advisory points to crime, kidnapping, civil unrest, health risks and other security threats.
10. Sudan
The ongoing war, combined with crime, kidnapping, civil unrest and limited access to healthcare, makes travel particularly dangerous.
11. Uganda
The US advisory identifies terrorism, crime and health-related concerns as significant risks for travellers.
What the Level 4 warning means
The State Department’s Level 4 designation is the most severe of its four travel advisory categories. It signals that Americans should avoid travelling to the affected destinations because of the risks involved.
However, the designation does not mean that every area within each country faces the same level of danger. The department assesses threats to US citizens, and the reasons for its warnings differ from one destination to another.
The advisory is also a travel-safety assessment, not a definitive ranking of the world’s most dangerous countries. It does not amount to a general travel ban imposed on citizens of other nationalities.
The list underscores the security challenges facing several African countries in 2026, ranging from jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa to the war in Sudan and instability in parts of Central Africa.