Security and Travel

Warden Message: Attack on American Officer and Locally Employed Sudanese Driver

January 1, 2008

Early this morning, January 1, 2008, in Khartoum, Sudan, a United States Agency for International Development American officer and a locally employed Sudanese driver were attacked in their vehicle by unknown assailants. The Sudanese driver died at the scene of the incident. The American officer died later in hospital. We are working closely with local authorities to investigate the incident. The motive of the assailants is unknown. We continue to urge all American citizens living in Sudan to exercise heightened security awareness. The Embassy will provide further guidance as the investigation continues.

As stated in the Sudan Consular Information Sheet:  Terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to carry out attacks against U.S. interests. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, which include tourist sites and locations where westerners are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or Western interests.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at  http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. , or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Khartoum or through the State Department's Travel Registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum; tel. (249-183) 774-701/2/3 (outside Sudan ); tel. (0183) 774-701/2/3 (inside Sudan .) For after-hours emergencies, please call 249-183-774-700 and leave a message with Post One for the Consular Duty Officer.