- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Niger
When travelling to Niger, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Niger.
| Niger overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 13 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Niamey | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (kidnap incidents) and Civil Unrest/Political Tension (reported coup, unpredictable political/security situation). The level of the advice for Niger overall and the level for Niamey have both increased.
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Summary
- We strongly advise you not to travel to Niger outside the capital Niamey because of the very high threat of kidnapping, the unpredictable political and security situation, the risk of armed banditry and clashes between Niger’s security forces and rebel groups.
- If you are in Niger, you should consider leaving. Australians who decide to remain in Niger should ensure that they have personal security measures in place. You should monitor local information sources for details about the safety and security environment.
- There is an ongoing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners in the north and west regions of Africa, including in Niger, particularly outside Niamey. If you do decide to travel outside Niamey, you should travel in daylight, in convoy and with a local guide. Foreigners have been kidnapped from their vehicles in the past.
- Credible information indicates that terrorists are planning to kidnap and possibly kill Westerners in Niger, northern Mali and the remote and desert areas of Mauritania and southern Algeria.
- The political and security situation in Niger is unpredictable following unconfirmed reports of an attempted coup on 18 February 2010. There have been reports of gunfire and military forces setting up roadblocks in Niamey.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the capital Niamey due to the unpredictable political and security situation.
- You should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout Niger as they may become violent.
- Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Niger. The Canadian Embassy in Niamey provides assistance to Australians in Niger. The Australian High Commission in Nigeria can also assist Australians.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
- Given volatile and dangerous security situation in Niger, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy * subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy * subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
