The U.S. State Department in April, issued updated travel warnings for Ghana, Burkina Faso, Morocco, and Uganda, urging U.S. citizens to exercise caution or avoid travel altogether.
The updated advisories cite a range of concerns, including terrorism, violent crime, and discriminatory laws, reflecting heightened concerns over safety and security in the affected countries.
Ghana was the first to be listed on April 8 with a Level 2 advisory, which encourages travelers to exercise increased caution.
The advisory cited violent crimes such as carjacking, street muggings, assaults, and rape, often occurring at night and in isolated areas. It also noted that sexual assaults are significantly underreported and remain a serious concern.
While domestic violence is criminalized under Ghanaian law, enforcement remains weak, with police often failing to respond to reports.
On April 16, the State Department issued a Level 4 advisory for Burkina Faso, citing an extreme risk of terrorist attacks.
The warning stated that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning, using tactics such as improvised explosive devices, kidnappings for ransom, and attacks on public spaces.”
This comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and the United States, following recent remarks by the U.S. AFRICOM commander accusing the military-led government of leveraging gold to consolidate power—an allegation the Burkinabè authorities have firmly denied.
On April 21, Morocco was added to the advisory list with a Level 2 warning. Travelers are urged to exercise increased caution due to the persistent threat of terrorist activity.
The advisory reflects concerns about the potential for attacks targeting public places frequented by foreigners.
Less than 48 hours later, the State Department issued a Level 3 warning for Uganda.
The advisory cites threats related to crime, terrorism, and discriminatory laws, particularly those targeting individuals based on sexual orientation.
It also warns of potential security risks and unpredictable public demonstrations, especially in the lead-up to Uganda’s general elections scheduled for January–February 2026.
These advisories form part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to keep its citizens informed of international risks and encourage safer travel decisions.
Understanding the U.S. Travel Advisory System
The United States issues travel advisories through the Department of State to inform its citizens about potential safety and security risks when traveling abroad.
These advisories are updated regularly and are based on a range of factors, including political instability, crime, health concerns, and the threat of terrorism or civil unrest.
The system follows a four-tier scale: Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), and the most extreme – Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”).
This classification helps travelers make informed decisions and take necessary precautions before embarking on international trips.
The issuance of a new advisory typically reflects significant changes in a country’s conditions, prompting the U.S. government to caution, or in some cases strongly discourage, travel to that destination.
