Australia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to South Sudan

Added by Gary Dunn on July 10, 2011

The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a travel alert Monday, strongly advising against travel to the world’s newest nation due to the risk of armed conflict, high levels of violent crime, and threat of terrorist attack.

The Ministry’s Smartraveler web site advised that border areas between South Sudan and Sudan are vulnerable to civil unrest and military activity and that increased unrest is possible during South Sudan’s independence activities. The Ministry also advises travellers that landmines have been laid in many parts of the country’s rural areas.

Australians currently in South Sudan are advised to leave the country when it is safe to do so, and recommend that Australian travellers register with the British Office in Juba. The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also advised travellers that consular services may be extremely limited because Australia does not have resident diplomatic representation in South Sudan.