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The number of African countries under the United States’ highest travel warning has increased to eight after Niger was added to the Level 4 travel advisory list.
Level 4 is the highest category in the U.S. travel advisory system and tells U.S. citizens not to travel because of serious safety risks.
Explaining its decision, U.S. authorities cited terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest, and weak emergency and healthcare services.
On its website, the U.S. government said, “Do not travel to Niger for any reason due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping.”
The U.S. government also said it cannot provide routine or emergency consular services outside the capital, Niamey.
A state of emergency and movement restrictions remain in place in many parts of the country.
The advisory follows recent security incidents, including a gunfight at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey involving groups linked to the Islamic State.
The U.S. Department of State ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Niger because of safety risks.
The advisory adds, “The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks.”
Nigerien authorities now require military escorts for all foreigners travelling outside Niamey, including U.S. government staff.
Areas under a state of emergency are off limits and may change without notice.
With Niger’s addition, the African countries currently under a U.S. Level 4 travel advisory are Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Niger.
