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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 132609
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC SU
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING: SUDAN
STATE 00132609 001.2 OF 002
1. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the
risks of travel to Sudan, and recommends that all travel
to Sudan be deferred due to uncertain security
conditions and the possibility of violence and
harassment targeting westerners. This Travel Warning
for Sudan updates and replaces the Travel Warning issued
on April 8, 2009.
2. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Sudan despite
the Travel Warning should maintain contingency plans to
depart Sudan in the event of an emergency. The U.S.
Embassy is committed to assisting U.S. citizens to the
extent possible, but the Embassy's ability to assist is
limited, and dependent on the permissiveness of the
security environment in Sudan. The ability of the
Embassy to provide assistance to U.S. citizens is
particularly limited in Southern Sudan and in Darfur.
3. On January 1, 2008, two U.S. Embassy employees were
assassinated while traveling in their vehicle in
Khartoum. In May 2008, the city of Omdurman, adjacent
to Khartoum, was attacked by armed militias. The
Embassy has implemented heightened security measures to
protect Embassy personnel in Sudan, which include
obtaining advance permission for travel outside of
Khartoum and requiring transportation in Embassy-
operated vehicles at all times.
4. The Department of State continues to warn U.S.
citizens against all travel to Sudan, particularly in
the Darfur area, where outbreaks of violence between
Sudanese government forces and various armed militias
continue. U.S. citizens and Europeans have been victims
of kidnappings, carjackings, and armed robberies while
traveling in Sudan. There have been several kidnappings
of European NGO workers and Chinese oil workers over the
past eighteen months. Land travel at night should be
avoided.
5. Travelers are reminded that the U.S. Government has
received information on terrorist threats against U.S.
and European interests in Sudan. Terrorist actions may
include suicide operations, bombings, and kidnappings.
U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of
indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public
places, including tourist sites and locations where
expatriates are known to congregate, and commercial
operations associated with U.S. or European interests.
Anti-U.S./European demonstrations occur periodically,
mostly in the capital city of Khartoum.
6. Travel anywhere in Sudan, including Khartoum and the
adjacent town of Omdurman, is potentially dangerous.
Militia forces have instigated sporadic violence and
have attacked locations in Southern Sudan. Threats have
been made against foreigners working in the oil industry
in Upper Nile state.
7. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take
responsibility for their own personal security while
traveling overseas, to review emergency procedures and
contingency plans, and to remain aware of their
surroundings at all times. U.S. citizens in Sudan
should ensure they have sufficient water, food, and
supplies on hand in the event of an emergency. The
dynamic political situation may require the U.S. Embassy
in Khartoum or the U.S. Consulate General in Juba to
close for safety and security reasons, without advance
notice. The Embassy will seek to notify U.S. citizens
of such closures via warden message, which are posted at
STATE 00132609 002.2 OF 002
http://sudan.usembassy.gov/warden_messages.ht ml.
8. U.S. citizens should note that the Embassy may vary
its operating hours without advance notice due to
changes in the political and security situation.
Services for U.S. citizens are available by appointment
only. Requests for an appointment may be made by e-
mailing KhartoumConsular@state.gov, or by clicking on
the link found on the following web page:
http://sudan.usembassy.gov/service.html. U.S. citizens
may request emergency services at any time by calling
the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, but the ability of the
U.S. Embassy or the Consulate General in Juba to assist
U.S. citizens in an emergency is limited.
9. The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdul
Latif, Khartoum; tel. (249) 1-8701-6000. U.S. citizens
may contact the consular section by phone or by email at
KhartoumConsular@state.gov. Additional information and
U.S. Embassy warden messages are available on our
website, http://sudan.usembassy.gov. For after-hours
emergencies, please call 091-253-4200 and ask to be
connected to the embassy duty officer.
10. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of
State's Country Specific Information for Sudan and the
Worldwide Caution, both located on the Department's
Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. The latest
safety and security information is also available toll-
free at 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and
Canada, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for
callers outside the United States and Canada, from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays).
11. U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sudan are
encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the
State Department's secure travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov.
12. Minimize considered.
CLINTON