Dar es Salaam – Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public security advisory on March 3, 2026, urging Tanzanian nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman to avoid non-essential travel, remain at their residences, and register online at foreign.go.tz/forms/diaspora_middle_east_registration.
Citizens are also urged to use only official communication channels for information, keep their Tanzanian passports and identity documents in safe and easily accessible locations, and register with the nearest Tanzanian embassy for close monitoring.
The advisory further cautions that consular assistance may be limited depending on the location and the prevailing security conditions, and urges all Tanzanians to take adequate personal precautions rather than rely entirely on diplomatic support.
The advisory follows a dramatic escalation that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior members of the Iranian leadership.
Iran retaliated with more than a thousand missiles and drones targeting Israel and US military installations across the Gulf. Major airports have shut down, stranding thousands of travellers, whilst the African Union has warned of severe consequences for Africa.
Tanzania has a significant diaspora in the Middle East, including thousands of domestic workers in Gulf countries under the kafala sponsorship system, who face particular vulnerability in conflict situations.
The conflict also poses economic risks: President Samia Suluhu Hassan on March 3 directed the Ministry of Energy to strengthen strategic fuel reserves, as global fuel prices have already risen 13 per cent, with analysts warning of potential US$100-a-barrel crude if conflict persists.
Tanzania is one of numerous countries that have issued security alerts to their citizens in the Middle East, though the nature and scope of those responses vary considerably depending on the resources available to each government.
The United States has urged citizens to “depart now” from 14 Middle Eastern countries and is facilitating free charter flights from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with 9,000 Americans already returning home.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office updated travel advice for 21 countries and announced repatriation flights. Canada has advised against all travel to ten Middle Eastern countries and requested airspace access from Oman for evacuation operations.
Australia has similarly advised against travel to most Middle Eastern destinations.
Several African nations have moved beyond warnings to active evacuations. Ghana has suspended non-essential travel and shut its Tehran embassy, whilst Nigeria has finalised emergency evacuation plans.
Sudan has announced the immediate evacuation of its citizens, and Uganda has airlifted 48 students via Turkey. Kenya issued a security advisory urging extreme caution, whilst South Africa urged nationals to contact embassies immediately, acknowledging that consular support may be limited.
The divergence reflects a stark disparity in resources. Whilst the United States deploys charter aircraft and maintains contact with thousands of citizens, most African governments—including Tanzania—are limited to issuing advisories and encouraging registration.
The situation underscores a long-standing vulnerability for African diaspora workers in the Gulf, many of whom travel to the region in search of economic opportunities but find themselves with limited protection in times of crisis.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues to evolve, the ability of governments like Tanzania’s to safeguard their citizens abroad will depend heavily on whether conditions allow for safe departure and whether diplomatic channels remain functional.
The Tanzanian government’s advisory explicitly acknowledges this constraint, noting that “consular assistance may be limited depending on the location and the prevailing security conditions.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Tanzanians in the region to remain calm, follow official guidance, and maintain contact with Tanzanian embassies in Kuwait City, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Tel Aviv, and Ankara.
