Country Risk Report
Chad
N'Djamena
French and Arabic (official)
Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Executive Summary
Chad is classified as a HIGH risk destination, caught between two conflicts. In the west, around Lake Chad, Boko Haram and ISWAP factions attack the military and civilians, with deadly assaults in late 2024 and 2025 straining an overstretched army. In the east, the war in neighbouring Sudan has become a direct threat: Chad hosts around 1.2 to 1.3 million Sudanese refugees, cross-border incursions and drone strikes have killed Chadian soldiers, and in February 2026 N'Djamena closed the border and deployed thousands of troops along the frontier. The country is under the rule of Mahamat Idriss Deby, who took power after his father's death in 2021 and consolidated it through a 2023 referendum and 2024 elections widely seen as undemocratic. Opposition and civil society face repression, and analysts warn of deepening state fragility given the two-front pressure, a depleted treasury, ethnic tensions linked to the Sudan war, and the withdrawal of French forces in early 2025 alongside a pivot toward Russia. N'Djamena and the south function under authoritarian control, but face economic strain, refugee pressures and periodic unrest, while the Lake Chad west, the Sudan border east and the northern Sahara are dangerous. A war economy of looted goods has emerged in the east, and cholera, malnutrition and flooding add humanitarian pressure. Cover for Chad is available on request only.
Risk Matrix
| Category | Risk Rating | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Armed Conflict | High | Boko Haram and ISWAP in the west and Sudan-war spillover, including incursions, in the east. |
| Terrorism | High | Boko Haram and ISWAP attack the military and civilians around Lake Chad. |
| Kidnapping | High | Abduction risk from armed groups in the conflict and border regions. |
| Crime | High | Banditry, armed crime and a war economy, especially in the east. |
| Civil Unrest | High | Repression and periodic unrest amid authoritarian rule and economic strain. |
| Health & Medical | High | Strained services, cholera and malnutrition. Serious cases require evacuation. |
| Internal Travel | High | Border closures, vast distances, checkpoints and conflict constrain movement. |
| Digital / Cyber | Moderate | Surveillance and periodic internet shutdowns. |
Essential Precautions
Security Situation
Chad is squeezed between a Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency around Lake Chad in the west and the spillover of the Sudan war in the east, under an authoritarian government facing warnings of state fragility. N'Djamena and the south function but face strain and unrest, while the conflict and border regions are dangerous.
N'Djamena and the South
The Lake Chad Region (West)
The Sudan Border and the East
The Northern Sahara (Tibesti, Libya Border)
Detailed Risk Assessment
Armed Conflict
Chad fights a two-front conflict: Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad west, and the spillover of the Sudan war in the east, where RSF-linked incursions and drone strikes have killed Chadian soldiers and prompted a border closure.
Terrorism
Boko Haram and ISWAP conduct attacks on the military and civilians around Lake Chad, including deadly assaults on bases, and the threat persists across the porous Lake Chad Basin borders.
Kidnapping and Detention
Armed groups abduct in the conflict and border regions, and the authorities detain opposition and civil society figures. Aid workers and those in the border areas are at particular risk.
Crime and Lawlessness
Banditry and armed crime affect the conflict and border regions, and a war economy of looted Sudanese goods, vehicles and weapons has emerged in the east, alongside rising xenophobia amid competition for scarce resources.
Internal Travel
Movement is constrained by the Sudan border closure, vast distances, poor infrastructure, checkpoints and conflict. The conflict and border regions and the northern desert should be avoided, and overland travel is difficult and hazardous.
Health and Disease
Health services are weak and overstretched, worsened by the refugee influx, with cholera outbreaks, high malnutrition and aid cuts. Malaria is endemic, and serious cases require international evacuation over long distances.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities
Chad is diverse, broadly Muslim in the north and Christian and animist in the south, with significant ethnic and clan dynamics tied to the ruling Zaghawa elite and the Sudan war. Political and ethnic topics are sensitive, and travellers should dress conservatively and defer to local guidance.
LGBT Travellers
Same-sex relationships are criminalised and face severe social hostility. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance
Chad has landmine and unexploded-ordnance contamination, particularly in the north from past conflicts with Libya, and new risks arise in the east from the Sudan spillover. Travellers should stay strictly on established routes in affected areas.
Diplomatic and Government Situation
Mahamat Idriss Deby rules after taking power in 2021 and consolidating it through undemocratic processes, and represses opposition and civil society. French forces withdrew in early 2025 amid a pivot toward Russia, and analysts warn of deepening state fragility. Consular support is limited.
Digital and Cyber Threats
The authorities monitor communications and have imposed internet shutdowns during past unrest, and connectivity is poor outside the main towns. Sensitive content can create risk.
Vaccinations & Health Hazards
Strongly Recommended
- Yellow Fever
Required for entry; carry certification.
- Meningococcal Meningitis
Recommended; Chad lies in the meningitis belt.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
- Poliomyelitis and Measles (MMR)
Recommended given circulation.
- Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended given limited safe medical care.
Other Health Hazards
- Malaria: High risk. Take prophylaxis and bite-avoidance measures.
- Cholera: Outbreaks occur, worsened by the refugee crisis; practise strict hygiene.
- Trauma capacity: Trauma care is minimal. Carry a kit and pre-arrange evacuation over long distances.
- Heat and environment: Extreme desert heat and vast distances complicate response.
- Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.
Choosing the Right Insurance
Standard travel insurance is invalid for Chad. Cover is available on request only and must be specialist war-risk insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, security extraction, repatriation and kidnap-for-ransom response. The border and conflict regions are typically excluded, and policies require pre-travel approval.
Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics
Checkpoints and Detention Triggers
The army operates numerous checkpoints, heightened along the Sudan border; cooperate calmly. The Sudan border is closed and heavily militarised. Carry original documents and a verifiable purpose. Do not photograph military, border areas or installations.Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics
Armed groups abduct in the conflict and border regions. Most abductions occur in transit in the west and east. Aid workers face abduction risk amid the refugee crisis. Locally hired staff may be coerced or complicit.High-Risk Travellers
Conflict-region travellers face jihadist or spillover risk. Aid workers face abduction and attack risk in the border areas. Desert travellers face remoteness, mines and armed groups. First-time hostile-environment travellers are unlikely to manage conflict, border and desert conditions.Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists
Essential Preparation and Medical
Avoid the conflict and border regions and travel there only for critical purposes with specialist support and cover. Establish extraction and evacuation plans and carry a trauma kit. Take malaria prophylaxis and carry bite-avoidance measures. Carry original documents at all times.Digital Security and Checkpoints
Travel with clean devices and enable remote wipe. Plan for internet shutdowns during unrest. Clear politically sensitive material. Turn off geolocation and cloud sync.Movement and Operational Security
Avoid the west and east and the northern Sahara. Note the closed Sudan border and heavy troop presence. Stay strictly on established routes in the north and east. Expect frequent military checkpoints.Conduct and Legal Compliance
Dress conservatively and defer to local guidance. Avoid political and ethnic topics. Never photograph military or border areas.This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.
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