US flags 16 African nations as high-risk destinations

The US Department of State has released its updated global travel advisory for September 2025,highlighting a growing number of countries deemed unsafe for American travelers.

The advisory system ranks destinations from Level 1 to Level 4 based on security and health risks. Level 1 indicates countries where travelers should exercise normal precautions,while Level 4 designates areas where travel is strongly discouraged due to life-threatening dangers.

The latest update reveals a troubling trend across Africa,where 16 countries have been classified as either Level 3 or Level 4. These ratings reflect escalating threats such as armed conflict,terrorism,political instability,and public health concerns.

According to the State Department,these assessments are informed by intelligence from US embassies and consulates,as well as reports from the FBI,CIA,Department of Defense,and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among the countries listed at Level 4 are Burkina Faso,the Central African Republic,Libya,Mali,Somalia,Sudan,and South Sudan.

Nine additional African countries have been placed under Level 3,advising travelers to reconsider their plans. These include Burundi,the Democratic Republic of Congo,Ethiopia,Guinea-Bissau,Mauritania,Niger,Nigeria,Uganda,and Chad. While not as severe as Level 4,these destinations still pose significant threats due to rising crime,sporadic violence,and fragile political environments.

Despite the overall deterioration in security across parts of the continent,the State Department has identified five African nations as among the safest globally. Seychelles,Mauritius,Cape Verde,Zambia,and Senegal have all been rated Level 1,indicating minimal risk and placing them ahead of several European countries in terms of traveler safety.