Currently, all travel to Sudan should be avoided due to ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

There is a moderate threat of terrorism in the country. The threat of terrorism in Sudan comes from low-level violent extremist armed groups and individuals.

There is a high level of crime in the country. A primary security threat in Sudan comes from tribal clashes in different parts of the country, in particular the conflict in the Darfur region.

There is an extreme risk of political violence in the country. The political situation in Sudan has been especially unstable since the revolution in 2019 and the situation remains volatile since the military coup in October 2021 and the outbreak of the conflict between the RSF and SAF in April 2023.

Medical facilities are generally inadequate and of poor standard. Major health issues/diseases include malaria, dengue, hepatitis A, and yellow fever among others.

Localised flooding can occur during the rainfall season. Sandstorms are common in the summer season.

Driving standards and road conditions are generally poor in the country. Public road transport services outside of Khartoum and other major urban areas are limited and often unreliable.

Sudan is a cash-only country. It is advisable to carry adequate cash in US Dollars.

Currently, all travel to Sudan should be avoided due to ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A primary security threat in Sudan comes from tribal clashes in different parts of the country, in particular the conflict in the Darfur region which has been ongoing since 2003.

In the 5 states of Darfur, the security situation is persistently volatile and banditry and lawlessness are widespread. Clashes occur frequently between rebels (typically non-Arab tribes) and government forces (including tacitly government-backed Arab tribal militias like Janjaweed) and between tribes. At least 168 people were killed around Kreinik and El Geneina, West Darfur in April 2022. Later, in June 2022, at least 100 people were reportedly killed in tribal clashes in Kulbus, West Darfur. Violent tribal clashes also occur frequently in Blue Nile State, West Kordofan, and other parts of the country.

Incidents of kidnappings are also common in the context of tribal conflicts and clashes between government forces and rebels. This includes multiple incidents of kidnapping of foreign aid workers since 2009.

Additionally, armed individuals and organised crime networks are engaged in smuggling and trafficking activities through the country’s porous borders with Eritrea and Ethiopia in the east and Libya in the north. Attacks by Ethiopian militia groups have been known to occur particularly in the Al-Fashaga region.

Recent updates:

Sudan continues to experience escalated tensions and violence primarily between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), compounded by the involvement of rebel groups such as the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the SLM-Minnawi faction. Recent events indicate a volatile situation, particularly in the regions of Gezira, White Nile, and Khartoum.

The situation in Sudan remains highly volatile. The capture of strategic territories like Gezira underscores the high stakes involved in the conflict, with control over key regions potentially influencing the trajectory of the conflict and the prospects for a resolution.

On April 4, 2024, SAF troops reportedly launched an offensive against RSF positions in Gezira, with the areas of Umm Al-Qura, Al-Araybab, Al-Sharif and Wad Al-Abyad reportedly coming under SAF control. Gezira is a strategic state due to its significance in agriculture. Controlling Gezira also affords opportunities to advance into east, central, and southeast Sudan.

Still, on April 4, 2024, it was reported that personnel from the SLM-Minnawi faction were reportedly progressing from Shendi, River Nile to Khartoum, to combat RSF troops. The entry of rebel groups to combat the RSF may protract the conflict, and add further difficulties to achieving a resolution.

On April 7, 2024, 20 people were killed and 200 injured following an alleged RSF attack on a village near Al Hasahisa, Gezira. The continuance of such attacks may likely prompt further mobilization of the local population against the RSF in Gezira.

Still valid: 

Currently, all travel to Sudan should be avoided due to ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Mass demonstrations against military rule have been common since October 2021, in Khartoum, Khartoum North (Khartoum Bahri), Omdurman, Wad Madani, Atbara, Kosti, and other major cities. The protests frequently turn violent as security forces use strong measures, including lethal force, to quell the protests. Protesters often block major roads and infrastructures.

The RSF and SAF conflict:

On April 15, 2023, a civil war broke out between 2 factions of the military junta: the Sudanese Armed Forces(SAF), loyal to General Abdel Al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force loyal to Mohamed Hemedti. Since the outbreak of the civil war, clashes have been occurring in the Khartoum area, including in Omdurman, Bahri, and in Darfur, including in Nyala, Al Fasher, El Geneina, and Zalingei. Other states affected North Kordofan, West Kordofan, Gezira, White Nile, Al Qadarif, and Sennar. Power and telecom outages have been reported in several places affected by clashes including in Khartoum, Nyala, and Zalingei. Since June 2023, clashes of the SAF with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have been reported in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile region.

During the civil war, clashes have been accompanied by shelling by both the RSF and SAF, and airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Multiple temporary ceasefires have been observed, with some of them being violated. Airports in the country have been focal of attacks and clashes, including Khartoum International Airport (KRT), El Obeid Airport (EBD), and Merowe Airport (MWE).

It is estimated that between 12,000 and 15,000 people have been killed in the conflict so far with thousands more injured. However, there are varying estimates regarding the casualty count. The conflict has generated a significant number of internally displaced persons. Between April 15 2023 and 21 February 2024, an estimated 6,326,416 individuals have reportedly been displaced. Foreign nationals were evacuated as the civil war progressed, including embassy staff of several countries. Access to food, medicines, and fuel has been disrupted, especially in the Darfur region. Incidents of looting and armed attacks by unidentified groups have been reported. Majority of the hospitals in the country have been rendered inoperative. With the collapse of the government and economy, Sudan is facing famine-like conditions. Provision of humanitarian assistance by aid organizations has also been disrupted due to the conflict. There have been reports of attacks on journalists and humanitarian aid workers, including an attack on July 21 on 18 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical workers in Khartoum. Mediation efforts between warring parties in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have stalled, with multiple ceasefires being violated. On January 16, 2024, the Sudanese government withdrew from mediation efforts with IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), a bloc of 8 African countries.

On October 30, 2023 the RSF claimed to have taken control over Baleela Airport (BJE), West Kordofan. On October 31, the RSF claimed to have taken control over an SAF base in Zalingei, Central Darfur.

On November 4, 2023 following clashes between the SAF and RSF, the RSF reportedly took control of Geneina, West Darfur. Following the reported RSF takeover, there are have been allegations of targeted attacks on the Masalit community in Ardamata area of Geneina, with varying casualty counts being reported. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), from November 4-9, around 700 people were reportedly killed, 100 were injured and 300 are missing. On November 7, the RSF took control of the garrison and Um Kadada, North Darfur.

On November 20-21, 2023 Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly took control over Ed Daein Airport (ADV) and the SAF military base in East Darfur.

On December 18, 2023, the RSF advanced into the city of Wad Madani, Gezira. Clashes between the SAF and RSF have escalated leading to several civilian and military casualties. The fall of the city in December 2023 sparked armed mobilisation in regions controlled by the SAF, with self-defence militias arming themselves to protect against the advancing RSF.

Less than a month later, the SAF transitioned from a tactical defensive mode into an offensive one, regaining territories from the RSF and establishing checkpoints to consolidate its gains around its bases in Khartoum. Most notably, on February 16, 2024, the SAF broke the RSF siege on the Engineers Corps in Omdurman, Khartoum – a siege that was ongoing since April 2023. Other gains were made in North Bahri in Khartoum, while mediation attempts by the West Kordofan native administration failed to prevent clashes between the RSF and members of the SAF 22nd Infantry Division in Babanusa, in January 2024.

In South Kordofan, a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu turned to the SAF to repel an RSF attack on Dilling. RSF attacks have been reported in other areas of South Kordofan, along with clashes with SPLM-N (al-Hilu), indicating RSF efforts to gain territory in the region. On February 19, 2024, it was reported that at least 50 civilians were killed, and several were abducted following an RSF attack in the Dilling and Habila areas, South Kordofan.

As of March 2024, there are multiple axes along which the conflict may further develop:

RSF controls 4 out of 5 states in the Darfur region (Central, East, West and South). However, clashes between RSF and SAF have been reported consistently in Al Fashir in North Darfur, indicating that this may be an area of further escalation. 2 rebel groups from Darfur – Sudan Liberation Movement under leadership of Minni Arko Minawi (SLM-MM), and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Jibril Ibrahim — have pledged to fight alongside SAF against the RSF. Personnel from these groups, and assoicated Zaghawa tribal militias, are reportedly mobilizing to defend Al Fashir against the RSF.

The most prevalent health issues/diseases include malaria, dengue, hepatitis A, meningococcal meningitis, rabies, yellow fever, Chikungunya, and haemorrhagic fever.

Since April 2023, there has been an outbreak of cholera in the country. A cumulative total of 10,273 cases have been reported across 11 of the country’s 18 states with 281 deaths as of January 26, 2024. Approximately 88% of the cases have been reported from the Red Sea, Gedaref, Gezira and White Nile states. The ongoing conflict however may hinder the collection of accurate data, as such situations often disrupt routine surveillance and reporting systems.