Sudan

October 22, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Sudan is a large, developing country in northeastern Africa. The capital is Khartoum. Most of southern Sudan and parts of the Nuba Mountains, southern Blue Nile, and the Eritrean border area are held by armed opposition groups and are outside government control. The information in this document applies to government-held areas of Sudan, unless otherwise stated.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS/REGISTRATION WITH LOCAL POLICE: A passport and visa are required. Visas may be obtained from the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. for $50. The government of Sudan does not allow persons with passports bearing an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps to enter the country. American citizens who were born in Sudan and have Sudanese identification (in addition to a U.S. passport) may apply for a visa at Khartoum International Airport. Visas are not available at other airports or at the border. Travelers must pay an airport departure tax of U.S. $20.

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) requires travelers to areas under its control to obtain travel permits from the Nairobi office of the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA). At times, the SRRA will not issue travel permits to persons holding Sudanese government visas. Other opposition groups issue their own travel permits.

Travelers to Sudan are required to register with police headquarters within three days of arrival. Travelers must obtain police permission before moving to another location in Sudan and must register with police within 24 hours of arrival at the new location. These regulations are strictly enforced. Even with proper documentation, travelers in Sudan have been subjected to delays and detention by Sudan's security forces, especially when traveling outside Khartoum. Authorities expect roadblocks to be respected.

For further information on entry requirements and registration with local police, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, 2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone (202) 338-8565 to 8570; website http://www.sudanembassy.org. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Sudanese embassy or consulate or directly to the Ministry of External Relations in Khartoum by email: pop@sudamer.com.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

TRADE RESTRICTIONS: On November 4, 1997, President Clinton signed an Executive Order imposing comprehensive financial and commercial sanctions against Sudan, prohibiting U.S. transactions with Sudan. Travelers intending to visit Sudan despite the Travel Warning should contact the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Office of Compliance, regarding the effect of these sanctions; telephone 1-800-540-6322 or 202-622-2490; website http://www.treas.gov/ofac.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: There are no consular officers resident in Sudan. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, is severely limited.

Travel in all parts of Sudan, particularly outside the capital city of Khartoum, is potentially hazardous. The Government of Sudan and rebel forces in early June, 2004, executed a peace agreement aimed at ending a 20 year civil war. Although most or all fighting has officially ended, danger may persist in the southern Sudanese provinces of Upper Nile and Bahr El Ghazal. There has been fighting between Government of Sudan backed forces and rebel forces in the western province of Darfur. The fighting, combined with drought and famine, has resulted in a world-recognized humanitarian crisis. In the South, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which normally operates in northern Uganda and occasionally shelters in southern Sudan, has allegedly threatened to target Americans. The land border with Egypt is open. Land transportation between Eritrea and Sudan is not dependable. The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) controls all border crossings from Kenya and Uganda.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

CURFEW: There is currently no curfew in Khartoum. However, persons who are outside between midnight and 5:00 a.m. are subject to document searches at police checkpoints. Hotel officials and local police can inform visitors whether a curfew is in effect in other localities.

CRIME: Petty crime and thievery occur. Travelers should exercise caution at the airport, in markets, and at public gatherings.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information on personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Sudan are limited. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum maintains a list of local doctors and clinics for reference.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of 50,000 dollars ( US ). Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Sudan. Travelers should take malaria prophylaxis. P. falciparum malaria, the serious and sometimes fatal strain in Sudan, is resistant to the anti-malarial drug chloroquine. Because travelers to Sudan are at high risk for contracting malaria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™). The CDC has determined that a traveler who is on an appropriate antimalarial drug has a greatly reduced chance of contracting the disease. In addition, other personal protective measures, such as the use of insect repellents, protective clothing and mosquito nets also help to reduce malaria risk. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and antimalarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malinfo.htm.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Sudan is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

As part of local culture, strangers may stop to help lone women drivers stranded at the side of the road. However, individual drivers should accept such help at their own risk.

Road conditions are hazardous due to unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and animals in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles. Roads are narrow and poorly maintained. Only some major highways are paved. Roads in southern Sudan may be impassable during the rainy season, while roads in the north can be quickly covered with shifting sand at anytime during the year. Nighttime driving throughout the country is dangerous and should be avoided if at all possible, as vehicles often operate without lights or park in the road without warning. Ambulance and road emergency services are available in major urban areas but are extremely limited or unavailable elsewhere in the country.

Public transit is limited except in and between major urban areas. Passenger facilities are basic and crowded, especially during rush hours or seasonal travel. Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice. Vehicle maintenance does not meet the same standards as those in the United States or other western countries. There is regular passenger train service from Khartoum to Wade Halfa (on the border with Egypt ) and Port Sudan (on the Red Sea ). Inter-city bus service between major cities is regular and inexpensive. Intra-city bus service in the major urban areas is generally regular, but most buses and bus stops are unmarked. Taxis are available in the major cities at hotels, tourist sites, and government offices. Public transit service to communities in the interior is usually limited to irregularly scheduled mini-buses. Most rural communities in the interior have no public transit whatsoever.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Traffic entering from side streets has the right of way when entering a fast-moving main street. Cars have the steering wheel on the left side and drivers use the right side of the road. Traffic on the right has the right of way at stops. Right turns on a red light are prohibited. Speed limits are not posted. The legal speed limit for passenger cars on inter-city highways is 120 kph (about 70 mph), while in most urban areas it is 60 kph (about 35 mph). The speed limit in congested areas and school zones is 40 kph (about 25 mph).

All motor vehicle operators are required to purchase third-party liability insurance from the government. Nonetheless, many local drivers carry no insurance. Persons involved in an accident resulting in death or injury are required to report the incident to the nearest police station or official as soon as possible. Persons found at fault can expect fines, revocation of driving privileges, and jail sentences, depending on the nature and extent of the accident. Penalties for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol are strict, and convicted offenders may expect fines, jail sentences, and corporal punishment.

U.S. citizens may use their U.S.-issued driver's licenses up to 90 days after arrival. Thereafter, they must carry either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a Sudanese driver's license. There are no restrictions on vehicle types, including motorcycles and motorized tricycles. Motorcycles, however, are not common.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html. For specific information concerning Sudanese driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the U.S. and Sudan by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Sudan's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Sudan's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at (618)229-4801.

AIR TRAVEL: Effective October 22, 2004, employees and contractors of the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum are no longer permitted to use Sarit Airlines for official travel, and are strongly urged to avoid using Sarit Airlines for non-official travel. The only exception is if travel is on an Antonov 28 aircraft, dedicated to the Joint Military Commission (JMC), or a Mikoyan-8 helicopter, dedicated to the JMC and African Union Cease Fire Commission. Numerous crashes and safety incidents over the past year, two of which involved fatalities, have raised serious concerns about the safety of Sarit Airlines' equipment and procedures. Americans are strongly urged to avoid travel on Sarit Airlines.

Unforeseen circumstances such as sandstorms and electrical outages may cause flight delays. Khartoum International Airport's arrival and departure procedures are lengthy. Passengers on international flights should allow three hours for pre-departure security and other processing at the airport. Passengers for domestic flights should be at the airport at least two hours before flights. Domestic flights, including those to and from Port Sudan, Dongola, and Juba are subject to change or cancellation without notice. There are no scheduled commercial flights to or from opposition-held areas.

In late 2002, there was an attempted hijacking of a Saudi Arabian airliner by a Sudanese passenger. In the spring of 2003, a Sudanair Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all aboard.

CURRENCY REGULATIONS: The basic unit of currency is the dinar. The dinar was introduced in the early 1990s. Prior to that, the currency unit was the Sudanese pound, which is currently worth one-tenth of the value of the dinar. Many merchants still quote prices in pounds.

A currency declaration statement is required upon arrival and departure from Sudan. Visitors who attempt to exchange money at unauthorized banking institutions or on the black market risk arrest and/or loss of funds. Please note restrictions on transactions with Sudan contained in the section on Trade Restrictions. Some visitors to Sudan have experienced difficulty using U.S. dollar denomination instruments, such as travelers checks or credit cards, due to U.S. economic sanctions.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found here.

PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS: A permit is required before taking photographs anywhere in Khartoum, as well as in the interior of the country. Photographing military areas, bridges, drainage stations, broadcast stations, public utilities, slum areas, or beggars is prohibited.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Cellular telephone service is more reliable than landline telephone service. There is no telecommunications infrastructure in opposition-held Sudanese territory outside of relief agencies and opposition radio networks. E-mail is available in Sudan, and there are Internet cafes in Khartoum, but service can be erratic. Disruptions of water and electricity are frequent.

GENERAL STANDARDS OF CONDUCT: Sudan has a majority Muslim population and is very conservative. Alcohol is prohibited and conservative dress is expected. Although western women are not required to cover their heads, long sleeve shirts and full-length skirts or slacks should be worn. Men can wear short sleeve shirts but should not wear short pants in public.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Sudanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sudan are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens to exploit children sexually via pornography, the Internet or other means or to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 in a foreign country, regardless of whether there was intent.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://www.travel.state.gov/family/index.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: There are no consular officers resident in Sudan. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, is severely limited. U.S. citizens traveling to Sudan are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Sudan. American travelers to southern Sudan are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. The Embassy in Sudan is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum. The mailing address is P.O. Box 699, Khartoum. The telephone number is (249)183-774-701 (0183-774-701 inside Sudan ); fax (249)183-774-137 (0183-774-137 inside Sudan ). The workweek in Khartoum is Sunday through Thursday.

The Embassy in Kenya is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20)363-6000; facsimile (254)(20)363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254)(20)363-6170. The Embassy's international mailing address is P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi, Kenya. Mail using U.S. domestic postage may be addressed to Unit 64100, APO AE 09831, USA.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 8, 2004, to update the section on Air Travel.