This is an annual report produced
in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in N’Djaména.
OSAC encourages travelers to use
this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Chad. For
more in-depth information, review OSAC’s country-specific page for
original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of
which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC
password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S.
Department of State Travel
Advisory at the date of this report’s publication
assesses Chad at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel
to the country due to crime, terrorism, and minefields. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding
the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
Crime Threats
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed N’Djaména as being a CRITICAL-threat
location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
Incidents of petty and violent crime remained steady in 2019, based on anecdotal
reporting from private-sector organizations and the expatriate community.
However, year-to-year and geographic comparisons of crime trends remain
difficult to assess because there are no official crime statistics in Chad, and
because many incidents go unreported.
Criminals occasionally targeted
expatriates in 2019, including armed robbery. The U.S. Embassy is aware of
three armed robberies of U.S. citizens in 2019, and knows of approximately one
other expatriate per week being the victim of a robbery. Review OSAC’s reports,
All
That You Should Leave Behind.
Home invasions directed at
expatriates remain rare, though most expatriates employ residential guards.
Robberies of expatriate residences involving local domestic employees also
occur. Workplace theft is prevalent due to economic stagnation, which has
resulted in widespread salary reductions and unpaid wages.
Remain vigilant at public
gatherings and any locations expatriates frequent, including markets, hotels,
restaurants, bars and places of worship. The risk of criminal targeting greatly
increases at night, especially if out alone or in isolated areas.
Criminals may target drivers and
passengers for crimes of opportunity in N’Djaména and throughout the country.
Thieves may open unlocked doors or reach through open windows to steal items
left in plain sight. In some cases, criminals may stage accidents to divert
attention or increase the vulnerability of potential victims. Criminals may
follow expatriates from major markets or grocery stores to rob them upon
arrival at their destination. Drivers should drop passengers within a compound
if possible; otherwise, passengers should remain in the vehicle until the
compound door is open, while keeping watch for any potential attackers lying in
wait. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels:
The Inns and Outs and Considerations
for Hotel Security.
Carjacking directed at expatriates
has fallen off slightly, with an average of one or two known cases each month
versus as many as three a month reported at the peak in 2017. White Toyotas
have been frequent targets, but only rarely have carjackers pursued vehicles
painted in recognizable colors with organization logos. Carjacking and roadside
robbery/extortion are more common outside of N’Djaména, but these crimes occur
nationwide. Banditry remains a problem outside of major towns.
Upticks in crime historically
occur around holidays throughout Chad, particularly around Eid-al-Fitr and
during the Christmas season. This year’s trends appeared similar to those
reported in 2018, with some reports of holiday robbery and burglary.
Cybersecurity Issues
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity
Basics, and Best
Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi.
Traveling
with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite
Phones: Critical or Contraband?
Transportation-Safety Situation
Road Safety and Road
Conditions
Vehicular accidents are the
greatest risk to personal safety to travelers in Chad. Fatal traffic accidents
are a daily occurrence. Hazards include erratic driving, poor road conditions,
and poor condition of vehicles – many of which do not meet international safety
standards. Use extreme caution when driving in Chad, and use seat belts and
other safety equipment scrupulously. Even minor injuries can be life
threatening because of limited and slow emergency medical response.
Roads become more dangerous at
night throughout the country as they usually have poor lighting – if any at all
– even in N’Djaména. Pedestrians may use the roads to push carts transporting
goods to/from the markets; many wear dark clothing that renders them difficult
to see at night. The risk of head-on collision increases because some cars and
trucks do not have operable headlights or only have one functional light, which
can make them appear as motorcycles at night. While N’Djaména and some other
cities have a few traffic lights, they are often inoperable.
Chadian roads are in generally
poor condition and are often unpaved; though some new roadbuilding efforts
commenced in late 2019. Most major streets in N’Djaména are paved. For travel
outside the capital, use appropriately equipped, rugged vehicles with high
ground clearance and four-wheel drive; travel in convoys of two or more
vehicles due to the risk of vehicle damage, breakdowns, sand/mud obstacles, and
carjacking. Carry recovery equipment and extra fuel; outside N’Djaména, “fuel
stands” can be up to several hundred kilometers apart and often sell poor
quality fuel sold in glass or plastic bottles. Travelers have found themselves
stranded for hours waiting for assistance. Stranded motorists and nighttime travelers
are at greater risk of criminal targeting.
Drivers should ensure that the
vehicle has a copy of a valid insurance policy and registration papers.
Authorities require a local license and insurance to self-drive. Acquire the
license from the Chadian National Police (PNT) for a fee without a driving test
or written exam upon presentation of a valid foreign license. Several
commercial insurance companies in Chad provide coverage for local and
expatriate drivers.
Individuals involved in a traffic
accident should:
- Contact emergency services at 2020 or +235-6627-7090;
- Stop the vehicle exactly where the
accident occurred, even if it is in the middle of an intersection or traffic
circle;
- Remain in the vehicle until the
PNT arrive on scene and complete an accident report and sketch; and
- Present copies of your passport
photo page, driver’s license, and insurance to the PNT. Carry at least two
copies of these documents.
The police may require drivers to
follow them to the nearest police station to complete a police report in the
event of an accident. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy’s Consular
Section at +235-2251-5017 if police arrest or detain them for an extended
period. Those involved in an accident may need to transport injured persons to
the hospital, particularly if the injured party’s vehicle is unusable.
Consider restricting road travel
outside of N’Djaména to daylight hours. The majority of cases of highway
banditry occur under the cover of darkness. Avoiding isolated areas devoid of
security forces, traveling in convoys, and forgoing nighttime travel will
greatly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to a carjacking or armed
robbery. If stopped, do not resist assailants unless there is an imminent
danger of physical harm.
Security force shakedowns have
occurred, although such incidents predominantly affect motorists driving cars
with local license plates. While checkpoints have become less frequent,
especially in N’Djaména, there have been some reports of extortion at checkpoints,
especially late at night.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road
Safety Abroad, Driving
Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive
Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving
and road safety abroad.
Public
Transportation Conditions
U.S. government personnel may not
use taxis, microbuses, motorcycles, or rented vehicles as a mode of
transportation. Review OSAC’s report, Security
In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed N’Djaména as being a HIGH-threat
location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government
interests. The potential exists for terrorist activity throughout Chad. Violent
extremist organizations (e.g. Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Libya, and
al-Qa’ida-affiliated groups) can easily cross borders and target Westerners,
local security forces, and civilians in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
In 2019, Boko Haram and ISIS-West
Africa conducted frequent attacks against Chadian civilians and military forces
in the Lake Chad region. Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa actions have displaced
thousands of Chadians.
There has also been an increase in
violent actions by Chadian rebel groups from across the Libyan border.
Government response has raised concerns about the potential for reprisal
attacks in N’Djaména by group members or sympathizers.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western
Sentiment
The Chadian government and people
are generally friendly towards U.S. citizens, but violent extremist groups in
the Lake Chad region and the Sahel have expressed or signaled their intention
to target Westerners.
Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed N’Djaména as being a HIGH-threat
location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S.
government interests. Chad’s recent history is one of political tensions,
rebellions, and coup attempts. The current Chadian government has a strong
executive branch, headed by President Idriss Déby Itno and dominated by his
Zaghawa ethnic group, which controls the political landscape.
Civil Unrest
Public demonstrations have been
illegal since the 2016 elections. However, the government has been generally
lax in enforcing this ban. When demonstrations do occur, they are under tight
police supervision.
Avoid demonstrations and large
crowds, as even peaceful gatherings can turn violent unexpectedly. Individuals
participating in demonstrations/crowds may throw rocks at random passers-by,
vehicles, and security forces, which may escalate the situation. Security
forces typically react quickly and harshly to protest activities, and
frequently use teargas and/or warning shots to disperse demonstrators.
Checkpoints may become more frequent during times of protest; police presence
may increase or become more visible around such activities. Another reason to avoid
demonstrations is the threat of crime, as large crowds attract petty criminals
and pickpockets. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving
a Protest.
Post-specific Concerns
Environmental
Hazards
During the rainy season
(May-October), roads are often impassable due to standing water/mud. In the
summer, the temperature can climb to 130 degrees Fahrenheit; take precautions
to stay hydrated and minimize sun exposure. During the dry season
(November-April), dust storms diminish air quality, interfere with road safety
and visibility, and often lead to flight cancellations.
Critical
Infrastructure Concerns
Due to Chad’s limited industrial
base, there are few reported industrial accidents. Oil fields in the south have
stringent safety and security regulations, although Chinese oil company
standards have not prevented significant spillage.
Electricity supply is poor in N’Djaména
and worse elsewhere. Most expatriate homes have generators to supplement city
power.
The Government of Chad has
selectively restricted internet and mobile communications services during
periods of heightened tension; this includes social media platforms such as
Facebook, and text messaging services including SMS and WhatsApp. Cellular
networks suffer from capacity issues during normal operating conditions; in
some cases, the government has shut down cellular networks entirely. In
general, the government does not permit satellite phones for import or use in
the country without specific written permission. Review OSAC’s reports, Traveling
with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite
Phones: Critical or Contraband?
Economic Espionage/Intellectual
Property Theft
Despite limited resources, Chadian
customs officials make occasional efforts to enforce copyright laws, normally
by seizing and burning counterfeit medicines, CDs, and mobile phones. However,
imported counterfeit pharmaceuticals, watches, sports clothing, footwear,
jeans, cosmetics, perfumes, videos, music, and other goods are available in
modern stores. Avoid street vendors selling knock-off designer products. Chad
does not regularly track and report on seizures of counterfeit goods.
Personal Identity
Concerns
Strong social and cultural
strictures against homosexuality exist, and no known LGBTI organizations
operate in the country. The law prohibits but does not define “unnatural acts,”
and authorities could use it against LGBTI persons. The law does not protect
individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+
travelers.
Female travelers should use extra
caution when traveling in Chad, particularly if traveling alone. Avoid isolated
situations that could put you at risk; never walk or jog alone in secluded
areas, particularly at night; and never tell strangers, however friendly, where
you are staying or disclose travel plans. While the law prohibits marriage
before the age of 18, forced marriage of underage girls and women remains a
serious problem. The law also prohibits female genital mutilation/cutting
(FGM/C), but the practice remains widespread. Although the law prohibits
violence against women, domestic violence, including spousal abuse, is
widespread. Wives have limited legal recourse in cases of abuse. There is no reliable
data on the extent of sexual assault though it is widely acknowledged as a
problem. Cultural and social biases often lead to a lack of reporting for rape.
Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female
travelers.
Review OSAC’s report, Freedom
to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based
travelers.
Access to transportation, lodging,
and public buildings is limited. There are few sidewalks and no curb cuts, and
most buildings lack elevators. Review the State Department’s webpage on
security for travelers
with disabilities.
Kidnapping Threat
Kidnapping of Westerners remains a
concern following an incident in which kidnappers took a French expatriate in 2017.
Kidnapping for ransom is especially prevalent along Chad’s borders with
Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Kidnappings tend to involve local
communities and tribes that straddle the border. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping:
The Basics.
Other Issues
Avoid large concentrations of
uniformed security elements and use extreme caution when visiting areas in
which the military operates, particularly near Chad’s borders. Border security
remains elevated. Chad’s borders with Libya and Sudan are generally off-limits
without specific permission from the Government of Chad. The Chad-Libya border
is an active conflict zone. New mines may have been laid in secondary roads in
2019, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains from the Chad-Libya conflict.
Remain on paved or well-traveled roads when possible.
Do not take photos without a
permit from the Government of Chad. Authorities rigorously enforce photography
restrictions, particularly near government, diplomatic, and military sites.
While it is possible for visiting journalists and others to receive permission
to take photos, most working-level security authorities operate under the
assumption that a foreigner who is taking photos is breaking the law.
Authorities have detained visitors and seized photography equipment for taking
photographs without purchasing a permit. Review OSAC’s report, Picture
This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.
Read the State Department’s
webpage on customs
and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out
of other countries.
Police Response
Police response and emergency
services vary depending on the service area, with more capabilities in major
cities. Police response is generally good in N’Djaména, but remains limited in
peripheral areas. Police and emergency response times are slower than in
Western countries.
Police officers may request that
drivers pay fines for infractions directly to them, including after an
accident. Avoid paying fines directly to police officers. If you refuse to pay
directly, the police officer will typically direct you to transport him/her to
the nearest police station to pay, since most police do not have vehicles
and/or gas.
Local security force posture
around the Presidential Palace Compound on Avenue Félix Éboué in N’Djaména
remains elevated. Avoid acting suspiciously, taking pictures, walking, and/or
loitering, in this area, as the Presidential Guard has responded to such
activities in an extremely aggressive manner.
Chad is not a signatory to the
1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; however, the Government of Chad
does fulfill generally accepted responsibilities of signatories by providing
for the safety and security of foreign citizens, officials, diplomatic missions,
and foreign interests in the country. If security forces detain or arrest a
U.S. citizen, s/he should request that the police contact the U.S. Embassy; you
may need to repeat the request.
The emergency line in Chad is 2020 (cell phone) or +235-6627-7090.
Lack of actual street addresses
may pose challenges when reporting an emergency. Callers should describe the
location of the emergency using landmarks, which may be difficult for
foreigners or anyone unfamiliar with the area. Travelers may encounter language
barriers when requesting assistance; while French and Chadian Arabic are widely
spoken in N’Djaména, French is less common elsewhere. Very few Chadian police
officers speak English. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims
Assistance brochure.
Police/Security
Agencies
The Chadian National Police are
responsible for day-to-day law enforcement within major cities. The Gendarmerie
Nationale (rural police, under the Ministry of Defense) and the Garde Nationale
et Nomade du Tchad (National and Nomadic Guard of Chad) also exercise law
enforcement powers in rural areas.
Medical Emergencies
Medical care is limited within N’Djaména,
and difficult to find outside of major cities. Chad has limited and extremely
expensive public ambulance services. In case of emergency, consider
transporting the patient with private vehicles. Find contact information for
available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S.
Embassy website.
Public health sector strikes are
common.
Tap water is generally not safe to
drink. Consume only water in bottles unless you use a purifier or some other
form of distillation. Review OSAC’s report, I’m
Drinking What in My Water?,
Standing water provides a breeding
ground for mosquitoes that spread malaria throughout the central and southern
regions of Chad. Malaria is endemic; malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended.
The U.S. Department of State
strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling
internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance
overseas.
The CDC offers additional
information on vaccines and health guidance for Chad.
Review OSAC’s reports, The
Healthy Way, Traveling
with Medication, Shaken:
The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire
Safety Abroad.
OSAC Country Council Information
Chad has an active OSAC Country
Council, which meets quarterly. Contact OSAC’s Africa
team.
U.S. Embassy Contact Information
Chagoua Roundpoint, B.P. 413, N’Djaména
Embassy Operator: (235) 2251-5017
Marine Post One: (235) 2251-5017
x24288
Website: https://td.usembassy.gov/
The American Citizen Services
Section of the U.S. Embassy in N’Djaména is open to the public for emergency
services (no appointment necessary) Monday-Thursday from 0730-1700 and Friday
from 0730-1230, excluding U.S. and Chadian national holidays.
Helpful Information
Before you travel, consider the
following resources: