Information for Travelers
Travel Warning to North Kivu
Consular Warden Notice
United States Embassy
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
December 5, 2007
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa hereby informs American citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that all non-essential travel to the province of North Kivu should be deferred until further notice. The Travel Warning dated April 24, 2007 remains in effect for the DRC.
According to media reports, as well as information provided by MONUC and the U.S. Embassy representative in Goma, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have stepped up military action against General Laurent Nkunda and his forces, using helicopter gunships and heavy artillery in the area of Mushake on December 4. Nkunda loyalists are moving from Kabati and Kilolirwe towards Kichanda and further north. Movements of forces on both sides, build-up of government troops, and continued clashes are expected. Numerous civilians are fleeing the region.
Americans in the area are advised to closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources for updated reports. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200 and 1800 as well as flash broadcasts throughout the day. English language news can be found on BBC at 92.6 FM.
Additionally, American citizens are urged to review and update their personal and professional emergency plans, and take necessary precautions to avoid being caught in dangerous situations.
Americans are also reminded to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa and are strongly urged to also register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, which is located closer to the area of conflict. Registration for both Embassies may be completed online at: http://registration.state.gov or by calling the Embassy in Kinshasa at: 081-884-4609 or Kigali at: 250-505-602. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassies to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. 243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad). The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached at tel. 243-081-884-6859 or 243-081-884-4609; fax 243-081-301-0560 (Do not dial the first zero when calling from abroad). For after-hours emergencies please call 081-225-5872 or 081-556-0151. The Consular Section may be reached by email at AEKinshasaConsular@state.gov. The Embassy’s website is: http://Kinshasa.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Embassy in Kigali is located at Boulevard de la Revolution; the mailing address is B.P. 28, Kigali, Rwanda; tel. 250-505-602 or 250-505-603, then dial zero; fax: 250-572-128; e-mail address is amembkigali@hotmail.com. The Consular Section’s email address is: consularkigali@state.gov. The Embassy's Internet website is http://kigali.usembassy.gov/.