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Congo-Kinshasa Travel Warning On April 22, 2010, the U.S. Department of State released the following Travel Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). This notice replaces the Travel Warning dated September 1, 2009 to reflect continued instability in North Kivu province and the surrounding area, the ongoing risk of possible unannounced flare-ups of violence in other parts of the country, and the critical crime threat in Kinshasa.  Government soldiers, as well as rebel fighters, remain a security concern. These armed groups -- located especially in North Kivu, South Kivu, Orientale, and Bas-Congo provinces, as well as the northern part of Katanga province -- are known to pillage, steal vehicles, kidnap, rape, kill, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians are indiscriminately targeted. In two separate incidents in early April 2010, one in Equateur province in the western DRC and one in South Kivu province in the east, foreigners were kidnapped by armed militia groups.  In South Kivu province, eight International Red Cross workers were kidnapped by a group called the Mai Mai Yakutumba, a group that controls its own territory in the region and was formed to resist Rwandan Hutu forces that fled into DR Congo after the 1994 genocide.  The region has been the scene of violent clashes that have resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians in recent months.  Travelers are frequently detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous official and unofficial roadblocks and border crossings throughout the country. Requests for bribes in such instances are extremely common, and security forces have occasionally injured or killed people who refuse to pay. In the last six months, the Embassy has recorded several instances in which U.S. citizens were detained illegally by government forces. The isolation of the area makes the provision of consular services difficult. Kinshasa remains a critical crime threat area, and U.S. citizens continue to be the victims of serious crime, including armed robbery by groups posing as law enforcement. Public health concerns pose a hazard to U.S. citizen travelers due to outbreaks of deadly viruses and other diseases, which can occur without warning and often are not rapidly reported by local health authorities. Information on personal protection for international travelers, including children, can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/. Enforcement of aviation safety standards in the DRC is uneven, with frequent incidents and accidents. The U.S. Embassy has prohibited official travel by U.S. government employees and contractors on all DRC-owned and -operated commercial airlines due to safety and maintenance concerns. International flights on foreign-owned and operated carriers are not affected by this prohibition. U.S. citizens should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds have gathered, exercise caution, and closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200, and 1800 and provides updates throughout the day.  English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM. In times of emergency, the Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast system at FM 98.8. Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the DRC despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Kinshasa or through the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs; the Consular Section entrance is located on Avenue Dumi, opposite Saint Anne’s church. The Embassy’s telephone number, including for after-hours emergencies, is 243-81-225-5872; callers within the DRC should dial 081-225-5872.  All Embassy telephone numbers are cellular phones as landlines are unreliable. The Embassy web site is http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/. Click here for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase for Global Travel Medical, Accident & Life Insurance >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This revised Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) on July 23, 2008 to provide an update on the country’s security situation.  It further notes that the Department has lifted the Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy personnel and eligible family members due to security concerns last month.  This Travel Warning clarifies the areas of eastern Congo affected by rebel activity, deletes information on Ebola, and adds information on aviation safety.  Overall, the security situation in the country remains unchanged.  This Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued January 8, 2008. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa).  Conditions within certain regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain dangerous.  Official personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa are restricted from travel to the North Kivu area unless the travel is for official business and has been authorized by the Embassy. For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad, Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316 Click here for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase for Global Travel Medical, Accident & Life Insurance Fighting between armed rebels, Congolese military forces, and U.N. peacekeeping troops continues in the provinces of North and South Kivu, eastern Orientale, northern Katanga, and sporadically in Bas Congo.  U.S. citizens are warned particularly against travel in eastern Congo as fighting there is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.  Armed groups as well as active duty and demobilized Congolese troops in parts of the country, including eastern Congo, are known to pillage, carjack, and steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and carry out military or paramilitary operations.  Government soldiers, as well as rebel fighters expected to be demobilized as a result of ongoing peace processes, remain a security concern.  Travelers are frequently detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous roadblocks and border crossings throughout the country. Though U.N. observer forces are deployed throughout the country, unofficial armed groups and active duty troops in parts of the country are known to pillage, carjack and steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and carry out military/paramilitary operations.  The large number of rebel and government soldiers to be decommissioned as a result of the peace process is also a security concern.  Travelers have been detained and questioned by ill-disciplined security forces at numerous military roadblocks throughout the country.   Government-imposed curfews, not currently in effect, could be reinstated upon short notice if the security situation deteriorates.  Visitors should restrict their travel, particularly at night, to areas of Kinshasa where they are familiar.  In the event of political disturbances, they should avoid the parts of the city where the disturbances occur, especially at night.  There are checkpoints in Kinshasa and elsewhere around the country that often result in traffic delays and the payment of bribes in order to be allowed to proceed. Travelers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo routinely experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial "special fees."  Visas are not available at ports of entry.  All resident foreigners, including Americans, are required to register at the office of the Direction General de Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence.  For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad, Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316 Click here for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase for Global Travel Medical, Accident & Life Insurance   Travel in the eastern provinces, especially in rural areas, remains unsafe due to continued sporadic attacks by uncontrolled militias.   Americans should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds are gathered, exercise extreme caution, closely watch and listen for news from reliable sources, and continuously review their personal security posture.  Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel.  U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Kinshasa or through the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.   By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs; entrance to the Consular Section is on Avenue Dumi, opposite Ste. Anne residence.  The Embassy's 24-hour number is 243-81-225-5872; callers within DRC should dial 081 225-5872.   All Embassy telephone numbers are cellular phones as landlines are unreliable.   The Embassy website is http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/. For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad, Contact our specialists today. info@worldwidemedicalplans.com 877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316 Click here for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase for Global Travel Medical, Accident & Life Insurance   Haben Sie eine sichere Reise! Abbia un viaggio sicuro! ¡Tenga un viaje seguro! Ayez un voyage sûr! Have a safe trip!