US adds Niger to highest risk ‘Do Not Travel’ list for 2026
The United States has added Niger to its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory list for 2026, citing worsening insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest and weak emergency and healthcare services. In the notice issued by the US Department of State on January 30, Americans were warned to avoid all travel to Niger, with officials stressing that US authorities cannot provide routine or emergency consular services outside the capital, Niamey. Non essential US government staff and their families have been ordered to leave the country because of safety risks. The advisory referenced recent violent incidents, including a gunfight involving Islamic State linked militants at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, as evidence of the deteriorating security environment. Under current rules, foreigners travelling outside Niamey must move with Nigerien military escorts. US government personnel in Niger are restricted to armoured […]