Warden Information
Consular Warden Notice United States EmbassyKinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
March 24, 2007
Wardens: Please disseminate as soon as possible the following notice to all American citizens within your registration zone. Thank you.
This warden message alerts American citizens to the current security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As a result of small arms fire and mortar explosions that occurred in Kinshasa March 22 and March 23, the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members of U.S. mission personnel. A revised Travel Warning for the DRC has also been issued that supersedes the Travel Warning issued December 18, 2006.American citizens should not travel to the DRC at this time. Those Americans currently in the DRC wishing to depart are encouraged to monitor the security situation in Kinshasa as well as the availability of flights and to advise the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa if they intend to depart the country.
Americans are advised to exercise extreme caution while in Kinshasa and closely watch or listen to local and international news from reliable sources. 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 92.7 FM.
U.S. citizens who 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.
American citizens should monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Consular Information Sheet for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the current Travel Warning, and other travel information can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by emailing AEKinshasaConsular@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).