Canada has expanded its roster of high-risk destinations, with Somalia now joining Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo, Mali, Burkina Faso and more than 20 other countries under strengthened travel advisories. The move reflects Ottawa’s growing concern over armed conflict, terrorism, civil unrest and fragile consular access in several regions, at a time when visa processing backlogs and politically charged demonstrations at home and abroad are complicating mobility for Canadian travelers.

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Canada’s Latest Advisory Update and Where Somalia Fits In

In its most recent round of updates through the official Travel Advice and Advisories platform, the Government of Canada reaffirmed a Level 4 “Avoid all travel” warning for Somalia, citing a volatile security environment and a high threat of domestic terrorism. The advisory, most recently overhauled on December 19, 2025, stresses that Canadians should not travel to the country and that those already there should consider leaving as soon as it is safe to do so.

Somalia’s inclusion in the top tier of Canadian risk assessments puts it in the same category as a cluster of conflict-affected or highly unstable states. These include Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and several parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are already marked by active fighting, extremist violence, coups or chronic political turmoil. In parallel, Canada has issued the strongest warnings for destinations such as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Haiti and Iran, underscoring a broader tightening of official advice on high-risk regions.

Ottawa’s warnings are intended as guidance rather than legal bans, but the language around Somalia is unambiguous. Authorities note that the Canadian government has no permanent diplomatic presence in the country, meaning consular help in a crisis may be limited to remote support from missions in neighboring states. Travelers who choose to go despite the advisory are urged to recognize that evacuation or emergency assistance could prove difficult or impossible if conditions deteriorate further.

Why Somalia Is Rated “Avoid All Travel”

Somalia’s security profile remains among the most fragile in the world. The Canadian advisory points to a regular pattern of suicide bombings, armed attacks, clashes between government forces and insurgents, and targeted strikes on hotels, government facilities, and other locations frequented by officials and foreigners. The armed group Al Shabaab maintains the capacity to stage complex attacks in Mogadishu and beyond, while other militias and clan-based factions also contribute to instability.

Beyond insurgent violence, the warning highlights the risk of kidnapping, particularly for foreign nationals, aid workers, journalists and human rights advocates. Abductions for ransom have been a persistent threat, and in some cases individuals have been held for extended periods. Anti-Western sentiment can intensify during periods of political tension or after high-profile international events, raising the profile of Canadians and other foreign visitors as potential targets.

Infrastructure and governance deficits further amplify the danger. Road travel is described as extremely hazardous, with armed checkpoints, banditry and poorly maintained routes complicating movement between cities or across rural areas. Landmines and unexploded ordnance from past conflicts remain scattered in some regions, creating hidden risks for those who stray from main roads or established urban zones. Limited medical facilities, under-resourced police units and fragile telecommunications networks mean that even routine emergencies can quickly become life threatening.

Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo, Mali and Burkina Faso: A Wider Arc of Instability

The Somali advisory dovetails with a broader pattern of heightened Canadian alerts across parts of Africa and the Middle East. Sudan, gripped by a devastating internal conflict, is under a strict “Avoid all travel” notice due to widespread fighting, breakdowns in basic services, and severe constraints on humanitarian access. Clashes between rival military factions have devastated Khartoum and other urban centers, while shortages of food, fuel and medical care add to the dangers for any foreign visitor.

Mali and Burkina Faso, both governed by military juntas following a series of coups, face their own entrenched security crises. Authorities in Ottawa cite frequent jihadist attacks, intercommunal violence and banditry, particularly in border and rural areas. Northern and central Mali and much of northern Burkina Faso have seen repeated strikes on security forces, local leaders, civilians and aid convoys. The presence of foreign mercenary groups, shifting alliances and weak state institutions add layers of unpredictability to the risk environment.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada’s guidance differentiates between relatively calmer urban centers and conflict areas where armed groups remain active. The eastern provinces in particular have been plagued by long-running insurgencies, communal clashes and episodes of mass displacement. Ethiopia, meanwhile, has come under closer scrutiny following bouts of internal conflict and political unrest, including past fighting in Tigray and episodes of violence in Oromia and Amhara. While not all of Ethiopia is subject to the most severe warning, Ottawa urges Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to certain regions and to be vigilant amid a fluid political landscape.

How Demonstrations and Political Unrest Are Shaping Risk

One unifying thread across many of Canada’s updated advisories is the impact of demonstrations, protests and broader political upheaval. In Somalia, officials warn that the political situation in Mogadishu is highly unpredictable and that protests can erupt with little notice. Security services have previously used live ammunition to disperse crowds, turning otherwise peaceful gatherings into lethal flashpoints. The government cautions travelers to avoid all large gatherings, even when they appear orderly, and to monitor local news and community channels closely.

In Sudan, mass protests and civil disobedience campaigns have frequently intersected with armed violence. In countries such as Ethiopia, Congo and Mali, demonstrations over political reforms, ethnic tensions or economic grievances have also flared, sometimes prompting heavy-handed responses from security forces. These events can shut down airports, close key road corridors and disrupt foreign embassies’ ability to move staff or assist nationals in distress.

Political tensions have not been confined to the countries under advisory. Inside Canada itself, immigration and foreign policy have become flashpoints in domestic politics, with rallies and counter protests surfacing periodically in major cities. While these events are generally managed within the bounds of Canadian law and public order, they serve as a reminder that global mobility, refugee flows and security crises abroad are closely linked to debates at home, influencing how governments frame travel risk and consular priorities.

Visa Backlogs, Processing Delays and Their Travel Impact

Layered on top of security concerns is a persistent challenge for would-be travelers and migrants: the backlog in immigration and visa processing at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. After a sharp spike in applications during and immediately after the pandemic, the department has spent much of 2024 and 2025 working to clear a queue that at one point exceeded one million pending files. Data released in early and mid 2025 showed that, although the backlog had been reduced, it remained sizeable and even ticked up again in late spring.

These delays have concrete consequences for people attempting to move between Canada and high-risk countries. For Canadians with family in places such as Somalia, Sudan or Ethiopia, difficulties securing visitor visas or travel documents can mean long separations and uncertainty about when loved ones can safely reunite. For foreign nationals seeking refuge or permanent immigration to Canada, backlogs translate into extended stays in transit countries, where they may face their own security risks, housing shortages or limited access to work and education.

Canadian officials insist that security screening remains paramount, particularly for applicants from conflict zones or states with limited civil registries. However, advocates have warned that long processing times can leave vulnerable people stranded in unstable environments. The combination of heightened travel advisories and administrative hurdles has created a complex web of constraints that travelers, migrants and their families must navigate, sometimes forcing them to choose between legal pathways that move slowly and informal routes that may carry greater risk.

What the Advisory Means for Airlines, Tour Operators and Insurance

Although Canada’s travel advisories are primarily aimed at informing citizens, they also ripple through the aviation, tourism and insurance sectors. When a country is placed under “Avoid all travel,” insurers often respond by narrowing or excluding coverage for trips to that destination. Many standard policies will not honor claims arising from travel to locations under the highest warning level, leaving individuals personally liable for medical, evacuation or repatriation costs if they go regardless of official advice.

Airlines and tour operators likewise reassess routes and products in the wake of updated risk assessments. While Somalia has had very limited scheduled connectivity for years, renewed emphasis on its extreme risk profile can deter charter services, overflight approvals, or the use of local carriers by foreign travelers. In other countries with mixed risk levels, such as Ethiopia or parts of Congo, operators may suspend itineraries to specific regions while maintaining carefully controlled access to lower-risk hubs or national parks.

For the travel industry more broadly, the expanding map of high-risk destinations is a reminder of how quickly geopolitical shifts can alter demand patterns. Tour operators with long-standing programs in Sahelian Africa or parts of the Middle East have already had to cancel or reconfigure trips, lean more heavily on local security advisers, and invest in real-time risk monitoring. At the same time, some neighboring countries with more stable environments may see increased visitor interest as travelers seek safer alternatives within the same broader region.

Practical Guidance for Canadians Considering High-Risk Travel

For Canadians weighing whether to visit family or undertake essential business in countries like Somalia, Sudan or Mali, the government’s message is clear: if the destination is under an “Avoid all travel” advisory, the trip should not go ahead unless there is no alternative and the traveler fully understands the dangers. Even then, authorities urge people to develop detailed contingency plans, including secure local contacts, reliable transportation, and arrangements for emergency evacuation that do not rely solely on diplomatic support.

Travelers are encouraged to register their plans with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, allowing officials to send alerts and attempt to reach citizens during crises. They are also advised to keep digital and physical copies of key documents, maintain communication redundancies such as satellite phones when possible, and establish regular check-in schedules with family or employers. Close monitoring of local media, social networks and community-based information channels is strongly recommended, as conditions on the ground can change faster than formal advisories are updated.

For those outside the highest-risk group of countries but still heading into environments marked “Avoid non-essential travel” or “Exercise a high degree of caution,” the same principles apply in a moderated form. Evaluating the necessity of the trip, investing in robust travel insurance that explicitly covers the destination, and consulting both Canadian and allied-country advisories can help build a more complete picture of the risks. In every case, however, officials stress that government guidance is a floor rather than a ceiling, and that individuals ultimately bear responsibility for their decisions abroad.

A Moving Target for Global Travelers

Canada’s decision to underscore the dangers in Somalia and a widening circle of unstable states comes at a moment when global travel has largely rebounded in volume but not in predictability. Conflicts, coups, street protests and climate-related disasters have all contributed to a more volatile map, forcing travelers and policymakers alike to adapt to rapidly shifting conditions. For Canadians, the latest advisories serve as both a warning and a call for careful planning, particularly when journeys intersect with countries facing acute political and security stress.

As consular services, immigration systems and airlines continue to grapple with demand and disruption, risk management is becoming as central to travel planning as booking flights or securing accommodation. Somalia’s status at the highest rung of Canada’s advisory scale, alongside countries like Sudan, Mali and Burkina Faso, is a stark illustration of the hazards still present in parts of the world, and a reminder that responsible travel in 2026 requires vigilance, flexibility and a clear-eyed assessment of the stakes involved.