Information for Travelers

Security Announcement

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, is a country emerging from several years of civil war that cost an estimated 3-4 million lives. Several African countries - Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and Chad - were also involved in the conflict that lasted from 1997 until 2003. Although there is still sporadic fighting in the east, mainly between Congolese militia groups, the situation has improved. The new transitional government is in place and making progress, albeit slowly, to reunify the Congo.

Kinshasa is more stable today than in the recent past. However, as a result of the war, poverty is widespread and there are many displaced and ill-disciplined soldiers in the cities. The U.N. presence in Kinshasa and the Congo has added an improved sense of security but Kinshasa is still a critically-rated crime post. Rogue military personnel who are paid a paltry salary if at all, are responsible for the majority of criminal acts in Kinshasa. Moreover, the breakdown of civil order in Kinshasa can happen unexpectedly. In the past, the police and security forces were ineffective in preventing the populace from civil disorder and looting. The majority of criminal incidents in Kinshasa occur between 2300-0400. If possible, try not to travel alone - especially at night.

Please do not take pictures of anyone or anything in Kinshasa, especially of government or military installations. Roadblocks are often found near government and military installations and should be avoided if at all possible. If stopped at a roadblock when driving, keep your windows up, your doors locked and crack your window to communicate. Be friendly, exercise common sense and do not give up your ID documents unless absolutely necessary.

Walking in Kinshasa is usually not a problem during the day but should be avoided at night. Expect to be harassed by the "shegues" (street kids), beggars and vendors. A recent common scam involves a group of Congolese men in civilian dress driving around Kinshasa in an unmarked vehicle who approach expatriates and demand to see ID. They usually say they are police or security officials and try to convince the would-be victim to get in their car. DO NOT GET IN THEIR VEHICLE. Walk away and report the incident to the Embassy Consular Section.

The Kinshasa neighborhoods of Ma Compagne, Limite, Mont Fleury and Binza experience a higher crime rate than the Gombe area, where most expatriates reside. Please exercise a higher level of caution when visiting those neighborhoods. If you do become the victim of a crime, please do not resist and report the incident to the Consular Section immediately.

The war in Iraq and Afghanistan and other recent events in the Middle East have made Americans targets of opportunity for terrorists world-wide. Kinshasa is rated as a medium threat terrorism post. Although there are no known terrorist cells operating in Kinshasa or the Congo, the possibility of a terrorist act can not, and should not, be discounted.