ASIA

Nepal (Security threat level – 3): During the afternoon of 8 April 2019, demonstrators associated with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party gathered in Kathmandu’s Putalisadak area to protest for the reinstatement of a Hindu state and constitutional monarchy. Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters after they blocked traffic, and minor clashes broke out afterward. However, the situation later normalized, and there were no further reported disruptions.

EUROPE

France (Security threat level – 3): On 6 April 2019, approximately 22,300 people took to the streets across France for the 21st consecutive weekend of “yellow vest” protests. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with the lowest participation recorded since the “yellow vest” protests began in November 2018. There were, however, a few instances of violence, with police officers firing tear gas to disperse protesters in the cities of Boulou, Lille, Paris and Rouen. In Paris, an estimated 3,500 demonstrators gathered for a march from the Place de la République to the La Défense business district, located northwest of the city. Riot police officers dispersed a small group with tear gas after the protesters attempted to block the Boulevard Périphérique. Paris police officers arrested at least 43 people during the demonstration.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Libya (Security threat level – 5): On 8 April 2019, the Libyan National Army (LNA) militia group conducted airstrikes targeting Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport (HLLM/MJI). Preliminary reports indicate that the area around the facility is under heavy bombardment; there is no information available regarding damage to the facility at this time. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the LNA stated that the group has imposed a no-fly zone over western Libya, which includes civilian aircraft, until further notice.

Meanwhile, on 7 April, the U.S. Africa Command announced that it has evacuated some U.S. forces from Libya, citing “increased unrest” and overall declining security conditions. Authorities did not provide further details regarding the number of U.S. forces involved or where they will be redeployed. The Indian government made a similar announcement, indicating that it had begun to evacuate and relocate its entire contingent of peacekeepers in Libya to Tunisia. Meanwhile, the U.N. Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) called for a truce in southern Tripoli from 1600 to 1800 local time (1400 to 1600 UTC) in order to evacuate injured civilians from the area. No ceasefire was implemented and the fighting continued.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 8 April 2019, thousands of people continued to participate in anti-government protests outside the Defense Ministry and presidential residence in Khartoum for the third consecutive day. Security forces arrived and fired tear gas at the crowds, who refused to leave. Reports from the scene indicate that military forces guarding the Defense Ministry opened fire on the security forces who arrived at the scene in an effort to protect demonstrators; at least one Sudanese soldier was killed in the exchange of fire, but there were no reports of civilian casualties. Similar sit-in protests occurred outside major government buildings in Khartoum on 6 and 7 April, accompanied by a similarly heavy-handed police response; however, there were no reports of casualties during these protests.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Uganda (Security threat level – 4): On 8 April 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Uganda, which reads in part as follows:

Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.