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Close Protection Officers in Khartoum

CPO contingency planning for future Khartoum re-engagement. Active SAF-RSF civil war makes operations impossible. Regional staging from Nairobi or Addis Ababa.

Khartoum CPO operations are not viable under current conditions. Active SAF-RSF civil conflict since April 2023, FCDO against-all-travel designation, US State Department Level 4 advisory, and the closure of Khartoum International Airport (KRT) collectively mean no commercial close protection operations can be responsibly undertaken in the capital. This page serves organisations with Sudan interests requiring contingency CPO planning and future re-engagement assessment, staged from Nairobi or Addis Ababa.

The Sudan CPO environment in 2026

The conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has devastated Khartoum’s infrastructure and caused mass civilian displacement. All major diplomatic missions evacuated from the capital; the British Embassy, US Embassy, and European missions have operated from Port Sudan or regional monitoring hubs since mid-2023. Khartoum International Airport sustained conflict damage and has remained closed. UNHCR estimated over 8 million people internally displaced in Sudan as of early 2026. Source: FCDO Sudan travel advice, 2026; US State Dept Sudan Level 4 advisory, 2026; UNHCR Sudan situation report, 2026.

Contingency planning from regional staging hubs

Organisations with Sudan re-engagement requirements work with our CPO contingency team from Nairobi or Addis Ababa. Planning covers Port Sudan current security conditions, conflict damage mapping of Khartoum commercial zones, vetted local contact identification for ground intelligence, and a trigger framework for re-entry readiness. This work prepares the operational framework in advance so that when conditions permit re-engagement, the planning cycle is already complete.

For the full Sudan security context, see our Khartoum city briefing. For organisations managing any Port Sudan-based operations or events during the interim period, event security in Khartoum covers the contingency planning framework.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This assessment is beyond the scope of a CPO service provider to determine. A ceasefire, sustained reduction in hostilities, and restoration of Khartoum International Airport operations are the minimum preconditions for CPO service viability. Organisations monitoring Sudan conditions should track FCDO Sudan travel advice, UN OCHA Sudan situation reports, and the Khartoum airport operational status through ICAO notices. CPO contingency planning can be initiated before re-entry is feasible, so that the operational framework is ready when conditions change. Source: FCDO Sudan travel advice, 2026.

Port Sudan has served as the de facto seat of government and the primary diplomatic hub since mid-2023. It is operationally distinct from Khartoum, carrying a significantly lower immediate conflict risk but its own security considerations including civil unrest, displaced population pressures, and maritime security linked to Red Sea Houthi activity since November 2023. CPO service for Port Sudan operations is assessed on a case-by-case basis with current ground intelligence. Source: FCDO Sudan travel advice, 2026.

Primary sources for Sudan re-engagement planning include: FCDO Sudan travel advice (updated frequently during active conflict), UNHCR Sudan situation reports for displacement and humanitarian data, ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data) for conflict event mapping, UN OCHA Sudan for access and humanitarian corridor data, and specialist open-source intelligence providers with Horn of Africa coverage. CPO contingency planning uses these sources as baseline inputs.

Extraction operations within an active civil war zone require specialist hostile-environment operators with specific SAF-RSF terrain knowledge and, where relevant, government-of-Sudan liaison. This falls outside standard CPO service scope. Organisations requiring extraction planning for Sudan nationals or staff should engage specialist hostile-environment security consultancies with current Sudan operational capability and relevant government liaison channels.

Organisations anticipating future Sudan re-engagement should undertake: a contingency CPO assessment covering Port Sudan staging, conflict damage mapping of Khartoum commercial and residential zones, pre-identification of local vetted contact networks for ground intelligence, and a trigger framework defining the security thresholds for re-entry. This planning work is undertaken from regional hubs and requires no in-country presence.
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