Reality Brief: Khartoum

Current alerts

• War

  Whole country strongly advised against; French nationals still there are urged to leave for Egypt or Ethiopia.

  Published on March 12, 2026 · France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safety

Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.

Essentials before you arrive

• Since April 2023, a war has pitted the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces. France strongly advises against travel to the whole country, including Khartoum and Port Sudan (update of 12 March 2026); its embassy in Khartoum is closed. The UK advises against all travel to Sudan, except the Hala'ib triangle and Bir Tawil, where it advises against all but essential travel.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• France urges its nationals still in the country to leave by their own means for a neighbouring country (Egypt or Ethiopia). British nationals can call a 24-hour helpline: +44 1908 516 666.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Especially dangerous: the five Darfur states, Kordofan, Jebel Uweinat, the whole Ethiopian border (el-Fashaga triangle) and Dinder park. Very high crime and risk of attacks on Western interests; piracy and attacks in the Red Sea.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• Emergency number 999, but services are severely affected by the conflict and often unresponsive.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: getting helpGuide: Health

Living in Khartoum

• Since April 2023, a war has pitted the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces. France strongly advises against travel to the whole country, including Khartoum and Port Sudan (update of 12 March 2026); its embassy in Khartoum is closed. The UK advises against all travel to Sudan, except the Hala'ib triangle and Bir Tawil, where it advises against all but essential travel.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

• France urges its nationals still in the country to leave by their own means for a neighbouring country (Egypt or Ethiopia). British nationals can call a 24-hour helpline: +44 1908 516 666.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sudan, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (513), clinics (45), hospitals (174). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (68), supermarkets (646). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (184), cash machines (62), currency exchange (5). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (31). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (119). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Tip

  Consulates in the city

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (2). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.

• Emergency number

  999: ambulance, fire, police (often unresponsive).

  999

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Sudan travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026