Traveling Luck for Chad. Chad, Africa

Crime

Incidents of petty theft and theft from vehicles occur.  There are also reports of armed robbery, sometimes targeting expatriates.  Highway bandits are known to operate in Chad.  There is a high level of banditry; much of it car–jacking, south of Goz Beida.  You should take sensible personal security precautions.  We recommend that you avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery in public and avoid isolated or poorer areas of towns.  You should avoid walking around and travelling at night.

Political Situation

Chad Country Profile.

On 13 November 2006, the Government of Chad declared a State of Emergency in a number of eastern regions.  The affected regions are Ouaddai, Wadi Fira and Salamat, Hadjer-Lamis, BET, Moyen Chari, Mondoul and the capital N’Djamena. The State of Emergency also reinstated censorship of the independent media and forbade radio coverage of issues “affecting public order.”

The overall political and security situation is uncertain, and could change rapidly.  We recommend that you keep abreast of events through the local media and ensure that you are registered with the British High Commission in Yaoundé.

Despite President Deby winning the May 2005 Presidential election, there has continued to be widespread fighting in Chad from different armed groups based in the east of Chad/Sudan.  In April 2006, rebels attacked N'Djamena. Since that time rebels have taken some towns, but these have all subsequently been retaken by Government forces.

Prior to the Presidential elections in April 2006 rebels from the east, and those who had transited the CAR, attacked N'Djamena. After heavy fighting the rebels were defeated, but there were reports of widespread civilian casualties.  Following this attack many diplomatic missions and international organisations evacuated non-essential staff from Chad.  Some have since returned.

Rebels took control of Abeche, the main gateway to the east, after fighting on 25/26 November 2006.  Government forces have since retaken it. Government forces also defeated rebels in further heavy fighting in the area of Biltine in the period 7 – 9 December 2006.  If you choose, against our advice, to stay in eastern Chad or the areas near the borders with Sudan/the CAR, you should keep a low profile, seek local advice and continue to monitor this travel advice.

The rebels do not appear to be targeting westerners, but in some attacks civilians have been killed and injured.  The rebels have also attacked UN and NGO compounds in the east and looted them.

Further rebel attacks, especially in eastern Chad, cannot be ruled out during the dry season (May/June) and the exact whereabouts of rebel forces remain unclear.

Some strikes and demonstrations linked to the non-payment of salaries to government workers have degenerated into riots.  We recommend that you avoid all political rallies, demonstrations and large public gatherings.

Local Travel

We advise against all but essential travel to N’djamena and against all travel to the rest of Chad. If, against our advice, you decide to travel, you should exercise caution, seek local advice, and ensure you register with the British High Commission in Yaoundé.

If you are in eastern Chad or the areas bordering Sudan/the CAR should consider whether your presence is essential: if not, you should consider leaving.  If you remain you should maintain a low profile.

As a result of the conflict in Darfur, over 230,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to the eastern part of Chad.  The humanitarian situation is grave and the security situation extremely unstable, with reports of fighting spilling across the border and rebel activity in this area.  Armed insurgent groups are committing acts of banditry and violence on both sides of and across the Chad/Sudan border.  On 15 April 2006, President Deby announced that he was breaking off diplomatic relations with Sudan and closing the border between the two countries.

The border between Chad and Sudan is currently open, following the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  However, the security situation in the border area remains extremely unstable.

On 6 February 2006, two staff members affiliated with UNHCR were forcibly abducted in the area around Guereda and Iriba (but were subsequently released unharmed).

The border areas with the CAR and the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti provinces in the north remain dangerous.  There have been armed clashes and reports of increased rebel activity.  The area bordering Libya remains heavily land-mined.  The borders with CAR and Libya are also subject to closure.

The tri-border area where Chad, Sudan and CAR meet is particularly dangerous

You should avoid the area south of Goz Beida where there has been significant rebel activity recently.  The area is also renowned for its roadblocks, which are frequently used to facilitate car-jackings, some of which have proved fatal.

For travel outside the capital, you require authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior, which is normally granted without difficulty after a few days.  But roads are poor and often impassable during the rainy season (July-October), especially in the south.  You should travel in convoy, keep doors locked and carry spare fuel and supplies.  Due to the activity of highway bandits, you should not travel by road after dark.

Police checkpoints are common: you may be asked to show your passport, driving licence and vehicle registration documents.

Air Safety

The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union.  You should check http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm to see whether this will affect your travel.

British Government employees do not use domestic flights run by Chadian airline companies unless this is unavoidable.  You should bear this in mind when making your travel plans.

Chad is a mainly Muslim country. You should respect local customs and sensitivities at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.  During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims (though children under the age of puberty are not required to fast).

Penalties for the use and possession of drugs are severe and usually include a prison sentence.

Homosexuality is not widely accepted in central African society and some sexual acts between members of the same sex are illegal.

Photography of military sites, government buildings and airports is prohibited.   Other photography requires a government permit.

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport).  Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.

British nationals require a visa to visit Chad.  To apply for a visa and to obtain further information on entry requirements, please contact the Chadian Embassy in Belgium at 52 Boulevard Lambermont, 1030, Brussels, Tel:  +32 2 215 1975, Fax:  +32 2 216 3526, Email: ambassade.tchad@chello.be; or the Chadian Embassy in France at 65 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75116, Paris, Tel:  +33 (0)1 45 53 36 75, Fax:  +33 (0)1 45 53 16 09.

You will be asked to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in the country.   Failure to do so may result in a further vaccination being administered, for which a charge is made.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Chadian Embassies in Brussels or Paris.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.

Medical facilities are poor.  Hospitals in N’Djamena are sometimes affected by strikes by Government workers.  You need to keep in mind the possibility that medical services, stretched at the best of times, may be even less responsive than usual.

Water-borne diseases, HIV/AIDS and malaria are prevalent.  More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets.  However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in country or in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country.  Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Chad.  You should drink only bottled water.

Since 2001 Chad has experienced several serious outbreaks of cholera, measles, hepatitis E and meningitis.  Meningitis outbreaks are especially common in the south of the country, which lies within the African meningitis belt stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia.  More than 900 cases of cholera have been reported in Chad since April this year, more than 200 of these in the capital N’Djamena.  Ensure hygiene at home, drink only bottled water when out and avoid food and drink from street vendors.  

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information visit the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help

There is no British Embassy in Chad.

All visitors should register their presence with the High Commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon.  This is easily done by e-mail.  Full contact details are given below.

You should carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of your passport).   Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the police.