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This revised Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) on July 23, 2008 to provide an update on the countrys 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.
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.
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/.
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