This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s country-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Level 3, indicating travelers should reconsider travel to the country due to crime, civil unrest, and Ebola.

Do not travel to:

North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces due to Ebola.

North Kivu and Ituri provinces due to terrorism.

The eastern DRC region and the three Kasai provinces (Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central) due to crime, civil unrest, armed conflict and kidnapping

Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The security situation in parts of eastern DRC remains unstable due to the activities of armed groups and ongoing military operations, which continue to destabilize the region. On October 30, 2019, the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) launched a major military operation against armed groups in the eastern DRC. Sporadic but serious outbreaks of violence targeting civilians, including murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging, continue throughout North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, Ituri, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele provinces.

Volatile security conditions prevail despite substantial support from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Congo (MONUSCO). The U.S. Embassy’s ability to respond to security incidents and emergencies is extremely limited outside of Kinshasa due to official travel restrictions and security concerns. Travelers should not rely solely on the U.S. Embassy for their security and emergency response measures.  

Crime Threats

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kinshasa as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Crimes of opportunity (mainly for financial gain) are the most reported incidents of crime against U.S. citizens in Kinshasa and throughout the DRC. Most reported incidents consisted of various forms of theft such as pickpocketing, burglary, and robbery. Petty crime may be more likely in public places and areas of congregation. Criminal elements do not typically single out U.S. citizens, but may view them as targets of opportunity based on perceived affluence or vulnerability. Reported crime trends in Kinshasa are as follows:

Opportunistic crime targeting motorists or vehicle passengers continues to be a commonly reported crime. These crimes typically involve males opening unlocked car doors and stealing valuables from victims stopped in traffic. In nearly all cases, victims had the car doors unlocked or the windows rolled down. Burglaries of unattended parked vehicles, to include breaking windows for entry, have also occurred.  

Express kidnappings (where criminals demand a small immediate ransom) involving taxis continue to occur with regularity in Kinshasa, including in the Gombe area. Criminals posing as drivers would pick up fares, threaten them with bodily harm, drive them to another part of the city, and take all their belongings before dropping them off. Most victims were Congolese, as they use shared taxis more frequently than foreigners do. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Robberies involving multiple perpetrators are also trending. In these incidents, young males surround a victim traveling on foot. Some would hold the victim’s arms, while others rifled their pockets and belongings for valuables.

Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind.

U.S. citizens have been the victims of more serious, violent crime (e.g. armed robbery, armed home invasion, assault), though such incidents are rare compared to petty crime. Victims from the international community often report that assailants posed as police or security agents. Security forces control weapons, leading to widespread speculation that members of the police and military often perpetrate or sanction armed crimes. The U.S. government protects all its official residences in the country with a 24-hour security guard presence.

Small-scale armed disputes, criminality, and lawless behavior prevail throughout the DRC. In 2019, reports of violent crime (e.g. banditry, kidnapping, and sexual assault) and attacks by armed groups continued, especially but not only in eastern and central DRC. Armed groups frequently act with impunity and in their own self-interest; as a result, many commit human rights abuses. The overall security situation in many parts of the DRC is volatile and unpredictable.

Reports of crime - particularly violent and gun-related crime – are frequent in and around Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. Incidents predominantly affect locals, and include armed robberies, property destruction, sexual assault, kidnapping for ransom (especially targeting local children), and murder. The risk of crime greatly increases after dark.

Armed banditry is widespread, particularly along transit arteries between major cities and in remote areas. In North Kivu, armed banditry is extremely common, especially along the road between Beni and Goma.

The use of ATMs is risky due to the potential for skimming. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Cybersecurity Issues

Cybersecurity and technology-oriented crime is not as pervasive or sophisticated in Kinshasa as in most other critical-threat locations for crime.

The DRC government has restricted mobile communications, and at times shuts down Internet access during periods of civil unrest or expected political opposition activity. The latest example occurred when the government shut down Internet and SMS text messaging capability nationwide for nearly three weeks in January 2019.

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

 

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Driving in Kinshasa is extremely hazardous. Most motorists do not observe traffic laws, and police seldom enforce them. In many cases, motorists blatantly disregard traffic signals and direction from police. The police force lacks professionalism and general competence.

Vehicle accidents occur frequently and often result in serious injury. Most local vehicles do not meet Western safety standards, are not in good condition, and may be transporting more passengers than is safe. Motorcyclists weave in and out of traffic unpredictably.

When vehicle accidents occur, large and sometimes violent crowds can form, especially when foreigners are involved. Violence against those perceived as being responsible for vehicle accidents is a common occurrence.

Those traveling by road outside of major cities should consider taking additional safety measures. Nighttime and/or stranded travelers may be at higher risk of becoming targets.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

U.S. government employees may not use any form of public transportation in DRC. Public transportation in Kinshasa is very hazardous. In general, public transportation vehicles lack adequate maintenance and basic safety features. Public transit is essentially unregulated and often overcrowded. There have been numerous instances of passengers targeting foreigners for crime aboard public transportation to include taxis. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Kinshasa’s N’djili Airport (FIH) is the largest of the DRC’s four international airports. Its most recent upgrade was a new international terminal, which opened in 2015. Despite improvements, corruption reports have continued (e.g. airport officials using their position to exploit individuals unfamiliar with the DRC). Security screening staff have removed items from carry-on bags or asked travelers to surrender items, claiming items were not allowable on board the plane. Recourse in these situations depends on other officials working in the vicinity. Keep close watch over valuables, particularly when waiting in lines or undergoing screening. A lack of training and/or disregard for customs laws among airport security staff leads to sporadic and inconsistent enforcement of hand-carried imports.

Airports in provincial areas are of lower capacity and quality than those in Kinshasa and other major cities. Congolese airlines have a poor safety record. Facilities, planes, and equipment may need repair and frequently do not meet Western safety standards.

Other Travel Conditions

Travel on rivers and lakes is common and represents a major method of transportation. Boats are often in poor condition, do not have adequate safety precautions, and are overburdened.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kinshasa as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The Congolese government’s perceived lack of ability to detect and deter terrorism may entice or enable terrorist groups to carry out activities in the DRC. However, the government has taken steps to improve its counterterrorism capacity. The DRC government has voiced its support for the Global Coalition Against Terrorism and has been proactive and cooperative with the international community in initiatives to mitigate terrorism and related activities.

Major military operations are ongoing in the eastern DRC. The Congolese military continues to target the more than 100 small, armed groups throughout the country, but focuses mainly on those operating in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. UN troops continue to undertake offensive military operations against armed groups in the eastern areas. Attempts to disarm and demobilize militias and other armed groups have had limited success; many armed actors enter shifting alliances to fight against local and UN security forces. Travelers in eastern and central DRC should closely monitor local sources for updates regarding Congolese and UN military operations.  

The only armed group in the DRC with ties to a terrorist organization is the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), located in Beni Territory, North Kivu in eastern DRC; ISIS has publicly acknowledged ADF as an affiliate. Throughout 2019, the ADF attacked Congolese civilians, the FARDC, and MONUSCO peacekeepers located in Beni Territory, North Kivu and southern parts of Ituri in eastern DRC. ADF fighters killed at least 300 civilians in Beni Territory in 2019. ADF announced a significant increase in planned attacks on civilians in response to FARDC operations launched October 30. ADF has conducted attacks against civilians primarily via small groups of fighters, using small arms or machetes in areas where the group has been present for years. There has not been a significant change in tactics or weapons used since ADF’s public affiliation with ISIS.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

 

Adverse sentiment towards visitors relates more to the perceived wealth of the individual than their nationality.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

Felix Tshisekedi became the DRC President in January 2019, marking the country’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of power. In 2019, political tensions in Kinshasa have calmed and the number of violent protests has decreased compared to 2018.

Civil Unrest 

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kinshasa as being a HIGH-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The threat of civil unrest is among the U.S. Embassy’s most prominent security concerns, as the breakdown of civil order could occur at any moment anywhere in the country, including in Kinshasa.

Multiple cities, including Kinshasa and the major economic center of Lubumbashi, experience occasional demonstrations by political opposition parties, students, workers unions, civil servants, and churchgoers. Many demonstrations turn violent due to efforts by security forces to disperse crowds quickly; security forces have used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds, resulting in civilian injuries and deaths. While the government has increased its capacity to employ non-lethal measures to control demonstrations, and there have been improvements, authorities continue to use lethal force, as documented in numerous human rights reports. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

The DRC has experienced recurring cycles of political and ethnic conflict; the number, location, and intensity of outbreaks of violence tend to coincide with periods of heightened instability and insecurity. In addition, dozens of armed groups operate throughout large swaths of its eastern and central territory. The longest-running political, economic, and ethnically based violence in the country has been in eastern DRC, where transnational self-interests between the Congolese, Rwandan, and Ugandan governments fuel a multi-ethnic struggle over national/tribal sovereignty, the loyalty of local inhabitants, territorial control and land rights, licit and illicit trade routes, and intercommunal grievances. Examples of past incidents include:

In May 2019, in South Kivu’s remote Minembwe territory in eastern DRC, fighting between ethnic Tutsi Banyamulenge and Babembe, Bafulero, and Banyindu militias destroyed dozens of villages and displaced over 100,000 people.

South Kivu has experienced growing violence due to the resurgence of two militia groups: Mai Mai Yakutumba, which carried out attacks in Uvira and Fizi cities and surrounding areas; and Mai Mai Raia Mutumboki, which has been active around the Kahuzi-Biega National Park area near Bukavu.

Ituri has seen a rapid intensification of violence since late 2017, as clashes between Hema herdsmen and Lendu farmers resumed after nearly a decade of dormancy. In early 2018, at least 260 died and more than 200,000 fled their homes due to violence in the region.  

The three Kasai provinces have experienced significant armed conflict since late 2016, resulting in mass displacement, the deaths of numerous civilians and individuals associated with the Kamuina Nsapu militia, the execution of many police and security forces, and the murder of two members of the UN Group of Experts in 2017 – one of whom was a U.S. citizen.

Reports of increased tension between nomadic Mbororo pastoralists and local communities in northern DRC indicate that the long-simmering situation in this remote corner of the country is worsening. Local politicians, DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) officers, NGO representatives, religious leaders, and UN officials have all described a deteriorating situation in Bas and Haut Uele Provinces, with the potential for widespread violence.

Post-specific Concerns

 

Environmental Hazards

Mt. Nyiragongo, an active volcano 18 km north of Goma, threatens the safety and livelihood of approximately one million people. When it last erupted in 2002, Nyiragongo led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands Goma residents, 245 deaths, and the destruction of more than 15% of the city. Since then, minor eruptions have taken place every few years. Armed groups have vandalized and stolen seismic and other scientific monitoring equipment, diminishing the ability of the scientific community to monitor eruption warning signs.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Critical infrastructure is lacking in many parts of DRC. Transportation, water and sanitation, energy, technology, communications, health and medical services, and public services infrastructure are at best inadequate and at worst nonexistent. Existing infrastructure is often poorly maintained, prone to disruption and failure, or inadequate to meet demand.

The DRC government has restricted internet and mobile communication access during periods of unrest. These restrictions may occur in advance of announced demonstrations or important anniversaries, particularly those of deadly clashes between protestors and security forces; such disruptions may last for several days or weeks. As a result, ensure redundant communications methods are in place

Economic Espionage/Intellectual Property Theft

The DRC’s rich endowment of natural resources, large population, and strategic location in Central Africa make it a potentially rewarding market for U.S. companies. Businesses in the DRC face numerous challenges, including poor infrastructure, endemic corruption at all levels of government, predatory tax agencies, limited access to capital, a shortage of skilled labor, and difficulties enforcing contracts. The U.S. has sanctioned several Congolese individuals in the past. Consult the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for specific information.  

Personal Identity Concerns

The Congolese constitution includes a general provision that all citizens are entitled to equal protection, specifically prohibiting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, citizenship, gender, social origin, age, disability, political opinion, language, culture, or religion. However, the government has failed to enforce these provisions.

Sexual assault is widespread and occurs largely in the conflict zones in North Kivu province, but also throughout the country by security forces, rebel and militia groups, and civilians, often during attacks on villages and sometimes as a tactic of war to punish civilians. Domestic violence is common. Although the law considers sexual assault to be a crime, there is no specific penalty for spousal abuse. Intervention by police or action by judicial authorities is rare. Sexual harassment is common. The law prohibits sexual harassment, with a minimum sentence of one year, but there is little/no enforcement. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

LGBTI individuals may experience harassment, as non-heterosexual relationships and personal identities remain a cultural taboo. Incidents of harassment at the hands of security forces and judicial officials based on sexual orientation and personal identity have occurred. While no law specifically prohibits consensual sexual conduct between same-sex adults, individuals engaging in public displays of same-sex affection may be subject to prosecution under public indecency provisions, which authorities rarely apply to opposite-sex couples. Congolese law prohibits adoptions by same-sex couples. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.

Ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous persons, and persons with albinism have faced societal discrimination and abuse. There have also been reports of societal discrimination and violence against foreign minority groups; protestors have attacked businesses owned by ethnic-Chinese and Indians in the past.

Persons with disabilities face limited access to transportation, communication, accommodations, and public buildings. There are few sidewalks and no curb cuts. Most buildings lack functioning elevators. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Drug-related Crime

Drug use (mainly cannabis) is common; however, evidence of drug trafficking is not readily apparent to travelers in Kinshasa. Local law enforcement capabilities in narcotics detection and interdiction are severely limited. Authorities occasionally arrest passengers attempting to smuggle in drugs though N’Djili Airport.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnapping for ransom is prevalent throughout many parts of the DRC. Although kidnapping victims are primarily Congolese nationals, there have been several abductions of Westerners, including U.S. citizens. Most kidnappings occur in rural areas during overland travel in North and South Kivu. Increasingly, kidnappings of local residents occur in and around Beni Territory; in certain districts of Goma, along the Bukavu-Walikale road; and especially along the main roads leading from Goma to Butembo. In the Kasais, kidnappings have occurred in Kananga city, Kasai Central. Kidnapping for ransom is rare in Kinshasa, but express kidnapping targeting shared taxi passengers continues to be commonplace. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Other Issues

The DRC shares approximately 6,835 miles of land and lake borders with nine countries and lacks the capacity to effectively patrol its borders. DRC’s borders remain porous, particularly those with the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; travel to these areas is extremely dangerous due to transnational crime, poaching, smuggling operations, and the presence of multiple armed groups.

Travel to national parks carries high risks as militia, wildlife poachers, and criminal elements may operate throughout these areas. In the recent past, criminals have killed park rangers and kidnapped tourists.

Congolese security forces can be sensitive about persons taking photographs, especially near government or military installations. Taking photographs of any government or military installations, including the airport, the Congo River, and government buildings, may result in detention. Do not take pictures of Congolese citizens unless you receive their permission. Authorities have questioned and temporarily detained Embassy employees for taking photographs in public. Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The ability of the DRC government to respond to emergency/crisis situations is limited, even in major cities. The police force in Kinshasa, and throughout most of the country, is generally ineffectual and dysfunctional. There is no reliable way to summon police assistance in Kinshasa. When the police do intervene, they are often ill equipped and poorly trained. Many lack a basic understanding of the law. Consistency in the administration of laws and regulations is absent. Police intervention, judicial recourse, and bureaucratic capabilities are limited regarding criminal investigations, adjudications, and prevention. Many interactions with the police include demands for money, as corruption is rampant.

Due to the limited capacity of Congolese security forces and local police in many parts of the DRC, communal and ethnic militia (often called Mai Mai), other armed groups, and criminal elements can act with impunity. Rule of law remains tenuous, especially in remote areas. The government’s inability to control its borders adequately has enabled a number of armed groups from neighboring countries to operate and seek safe haven within Congolese territory.

Police and military personnel in Kinshasa stop and detain motorists to demand bribes. Outside of Kinshasa, security forces may engage in criminal activity and/or armed violence. Security forces may erect unofficial checkpoints in order to extort travelers transiting by road, especially outside of major cities. A variety of armed groups may similarly use checkpoints to exploit travelers. Uniforms worn by members of the security forces may vary, making it hard to differentiate them from other armed actors.

On numerous occasions, security forces have detained and searched declared and credentialed U.S. diplomats, showing complete disregard for international norms and the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The police, intelligence service, and military are equally likely to deny consular access to private U.S. citizens, who should make every effort to assert their right to notify the U.S. Embassy and access consular services if in police detention; you may need to repeat requests for consular notification. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

Medical care is extremely limited throughout the country. The lack of public safety infrastructure, nonexistent or inadequate emergency response, and the difficulties associated with obtaining competent and definitive medical care elevate the risk and consequences of illness, injury, and/or accident. Serious but treatable medical conditions in the U.S. are often fatal in the DRC.

Bring enough supplies of prescribed and over-the-counter medication for the duration of travel in DRC, if possible. Medical facilities may experience medication shortages and locally available drugs may be of inferior quality to ones obtained in the U.S. or counterfeit.

Many expatriates in Kinshasa pay a quarterly or annual membership fee to be eligible for care at the CPU, which has the best-equipped emergency facilities in DRC. Contact the CPU directly on arrival regarding membership. Unless travelers have prepaid membership, they will not be eligible for direct admission to this hospital. If travelers do not have CPU membership, they should go to CMK, a sister facility to CPU. If hospital admission is required, CMK will suggest patients go to CPU, where travelers will have to pay out of pocket for all incurred costs. Medical costs can be extremely high for non-members. All fees may be required up front if surgical intervention is required. Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.

The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Departments webpage on insurance overseas. U.S. Embassy policy toward its own employees is to stabilize the patient and then provide medical evacuation (medevac), usually to South Africa.

The DRC continues to respond to the second largest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in history. In 2018, EVD broke out in the eastern part of the country, primarily in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, with the epicenter located close to the border separating the two provinces. This is not the country’s first EVD outbreak. Historically, the DRC has been capable in countering EVD in most parts of the country. However, due to deteriorations in the security environment, logistical challenges, community resistance, and access constraints in the area, the outbreak has become a grave concern to DRC, the African Great Lakes region, and the international community. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently more than 3,200 confirmed cases, including more than 2,200 deaths. DRC has also experienced periodic EVD outbreaks in its western areas, including a localized, small-scale outbreak near Mbandaka in 2018.

Water-borne illnesses, such as cholera, are widespread.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

Kinshasa has an active OSAC Country Council, which meets quarterly or as needed. To reach OSAC’s Africa team, email OSACAF@state.gov.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

Embassy Address: U.S. Embassy, 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa, Gombe district.

Monday-Thursday, 0730-1715; Friday, 0730-1230. Offices close on U.S. and Congolese holidays.

Switchboard: +243-81-556-0151/0152

American Citizen Services Unit: +243 (0)97-261-6145, acskinshasa@state.gov

Website: https://cd.usembassy.gov/

Helpful Information

 

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

OSAC Risk Matrix

OSAC Travelers Toolkit

State Department Traveler’s Checklist

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)