The Canadian government has released one of its most extensive travel advisories in recent years, urging citizens to exercise extreme caution or avoid travel altogether to 17 African nations due to escalating violence, political unrest, and security threats.
According to Global Affairs Canada, the advisories, updated between November 13 and 15, 2025, are part of a global reassessment of travel risks affecting 34 countries worldwide. Canadian officials said the revisions reflect worsening armed conflicts, fragile governance, and unpredictable security conditions across several regions in Africa.
Eight countries were placed in the highest-risk “Avoid All Travel” category, where ongoing insurgencies, militant activity, and breakdowns in political order pose severe risks to travelers. These nations include:
* South Sudan
* Burkina Faso
* Central African Republic
* Libya
* Mali
* Niger
* Somalia
* Sudan
Nine additional countries were classified under “Avoid Non-Essential Travel,” with authorities warning of localized unrest, communal violence, and volatile political climates:
* Madagascar
* Ethiopia
* Burundi
* Chad
* Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
* Eritrea
* Mauritania
* Nigeria
* Tanzania
Canadian authorities highlighted multiple factors behind the updates, including the expansion of extremist networks in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, political instability following military coups, communal clashes, cross-border criminal activity, and weak governance in fragile states.
Countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso continue to face significant territorial control by violent extremist groups. Meanwhile, Nigeria and Ethiopia have been flagged for persistent political tension, recurring protests, and outbreaks of communal or sectarian violence.
For travelers to nations under the “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” advisory, Canadians are urged to carefully weigh the necessity of their trip, stay informed on local developments, and exercise heightened vigilance. In the “Avoid All Travel” category, the government cautions that citizens could encounter extreme danger, limited consular support, and challenges securing safe evacuation in emergencies.
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Global Affairs Canada stressed that the advisories are designed to keep Canadians safe amid a rapidly evolving security landscape and urged travelers to monitor official updates before planning or continuing travel.
