Sudan
Safety and security
This guide also has safety advice for regions of Sudan.听
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There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.鈥��犅犅�
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.听
Terrorism in Sudan聽
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Sudan
Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners, such as:聽
- transport hubs聽
- 丑辞迟别濒蝉听
- 谤别蝉迟补耻谤补苍迟蝉听
- places of worship聽
- major gatherings聽
Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.听聽
Red Sea military activity聽
There is a military response to Houthi militants鈥� attempts to disrupt international shipping in the Red Sea. The military activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, but travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should monitor travel advice and follow instructions from local authorities.听
Security situation聽聽
There is an ongoing conflict across Sudan following violent clashes, which started in April 2023.听
颁谤颈尘别听
There has been widespread violent crime in Khartoum since the start of the conflict. There have also been reports of a large increase in crime in other cities and areas of Sudan.听
聽Types of crime include:聽
- 濒辞辞迟颈苍驳听
- burglaries and home invasions聽
- 迟丑别蹿迟听
- 尘耻驳驳颈苍驳蝉听
- demands for money at checkpoints聽
- mobile phone and bag-snatching, including drive-by bag-snatching by thieves on motorbikes聽
- aggressive begging, including attempts to open the doors of stopped vehicles聽
To reduce the risk to yourself and your belongings, you should:聽
- not leave valuable items on display聽
- keep doors locked and windows closed when driving聽聽
If you鈥檙e stopped or attacked, comply with demands and do not resist.听
Criminal kidnap聽
There is a high threat of detention, including kidnap, enforced disappearances and unlawful arrest across Sudan. There have been a number of recent incidents where British nationals and other westerners have been detained against their will.听
Humanitarian aid workers and journalists are viewed as legitimate targets.
Mobile phone and internet access聽
There are regular communication blackouts. Mobile phone and internet services are not always available. Telecommunications networks could be disrupted without warning.听
Laws and cultural differences聽聽
Personal ID聽
It is a legal requirement to carry photographic ID, such as a passport, with you at all times.听
Dress code聽
Non-Muslim women do not have to wear a veil or cover their heads. Men and women should dress modestly and respect local customs and sensitivities.听
Ramadan 聽
Sudan is an Islamic country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
Alcohol and drug laws聽
Non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol in Sudan, but not in the presence of Muslims. However, you may still be arrested for drinking alcohol regardless of the circumstances.听
There are severe penalties for drug trafficking.听
Using cameras in secure areas聽
Due to the conflict, it is not advisable to take photographs in secure areas in Sudan. Do not take photographs or use a mobile phone camera close to:聽
- government buildings聽
- military installations聽
- public utilities, including petrol stations聽
- other sensitive areas, such as bridges and airports聽聽
Plain-clothed public security officers operate in these areas.听
LGBT+ travellers聽
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Sudan and not tolerated in Sudanese society. This includes inviting guests into hotel rooms.听聽聽
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.听
Relationships outside marriage聽
It鈥檚 illegal to have extramarital relations and there are severe penalties. It鈥檚 illegal to live together, or to share the same hotel room, with someone of the opposite sex if you鈥檙e not married or closely related.听
Guests in hotel rooms聽
It鈥檚 illegal to invite guests into your hotel room. Business meetings should take place in hotel lobbies or meeting rooms, not hotel rooms. Tourist police patrol the hotels, and British nationals have reported problems with Sudanese authorities about this.听
Technical equipment聽
You might need a licence to use some technical equipment in Sudan, including:聽
- satellite phones聽
- listening or recording devices聽
- radio transmitters聽
- powerful cameras or binoculars聽
Contact the before travelling for more information.听
惭辞苍别测听
It鈥檚 difficult to use non-Sudanese credit or debit cards, and most banks and ATM machines will not let you withdraw cash. Bring US dollars with you to Sudan.听聽
You may be able to exchange US dollars dated 2006 onwards (older ones will not be exchanged), but this will be difficult due to the current conflict.听聽
British pounds are rarely exchanged. Only change money through banks or official exchange bureaus. 聽
Transport risks 聽
Road travel聽
If you are planning to drive in Sudan, see information on driving abroad.听聽
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Sudan for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence.听聽
Road conditions and safety聽
Road travel will involve heightened levels of risk due to the current conflict and should only be undertaken if strictly necessary.听
Road conditions are poor. Roads, even major ones, might:聽
- be untarred or unsurfaced聽
- have potholes聽
- be used by pedestrians, donkey-carts and rickshaws
At night, there is generally no street lighting and many vehicles do not have lights.听Many drivers in Sudan do not have a licence or insurance.听
Road traffic accidents are common. There is a high risk of traffic accidents when using public transport or vehicles for hire, such as rickshaws and 鈥榓mjad minivans鈥�.听
Sudanese law prohibits the use of mobile phones while driving.听
Air travel聽
Khartoum International Airport is closed following the outbreak of violence in April 2023.听聽聽
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) understands that some commercial flight operations leaving Port Sudan Airport have started, operated by Egypt and Badr Airlines. There are no Sudanese airlines which currently meet the standards required to operate direct flights to the UK or EU.听
The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Sudan that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the鈥疍epartment for Transport, based on advice from the .听
Sea travel聽
There is a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The threat assessment of the combined international naval counter-piracy forces is that sailing yachts should not enter the鈥�, due to the risk of hijacking.听
If you go ashore along the Red Sea coast, make sure you have reviewed the relevant country travel advice and have the correct documentation for entry.听
Extreme weather and natural disasters聽
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.听
Rainy season聽
Flash flooding can happen during the rainy season from July to October. Risks at this time of year include:聽
- flooding that can make areas inaccessible by road, including areas south of Khartoum聽
- dry riverbeds (鈥榳adis鈥�) being hit by flash floods, with many only being passable on a major road聽