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Congo Travel Warning
This revised Travel Warning for the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) on
April 24, 2007 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 Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic
Republic of the Congo issued March 27, 2007.
Although the Department of State
continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy
employees and eligible family members, authorized in March 2007 due to
security concerns, has been lifted. Fighting which began on March 22-23
has ended, and businesses, schools, and the airport are again operating
normally. Nonetheless, conditions within the DRC remain dangerous.
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
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info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
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Travel in some eastern provinces,
especially in rural areas, remains unsafe due to continued sporadic attacks
by uncontrolled militias. Despite advances in the peace process following
the 2003 formation of a transitional government, periodic fighting continues
in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Ituri, and northern Katanga, and
other areas of eastern Congo.
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.
For details on
Atlas Travel Assistance
Services such as current passport, visa, inoculation and vaccine
requirements as well as emergency medical evacuation,
Contact our Risk Managers
today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
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Travelers to the DRC 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.
Americans should avoid all public
demonstrations and areas where crowds are gathered, exercise extreme
caution, closely watch and listen for local and international news from
reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700,
0800, 1200 and 1800, and provides “flash” updates throughout the day.
English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM. 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 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 the 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/.
U.S. citizens should also consult
the Department of State's most recent Consular Information Sheet for the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Worldwide Caution Public
Announcement, both located on the Department's Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.
Up-to-date information on safety and security is available toll free at
1-888-407-4747, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers
outside the U.S. and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time,
Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our Risk Managers today.
info@internationalriskmanagement.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316
Click Here
for
Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel,
Medical & Life Insurance
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