former notices
Travel Warning to Goma
September 24, 2008
Wardens: Please disseminate the following Warden Message as soon as possible to all American citizens in your registration zone. Thank you.
Over the past few weeks, heavy fighting has resumed between the Congolese army and the forces of renegade general Laurent Nkunda’s National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). Other illegal armed groups have also been involved. Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands of people have been displaced. This fighting has undermined the already fragile peace process that began with the signing of the Goma Agreement of January 23, 2008.
The UN Mission in the Congo (MONUC) has put forth a disengagement plan and is trying to bring the parties together through the AMANI (peace) program, but fighting has spread and intensified around Goma, particularly in Masisi and Sake, prompting further displacements. Many NGOs have pulled out of the combat zones due to the increasingly dangerous security situation. The Consular Section received reports of civilians throwing stones at UN vehicles and public facilities on September 22. Tensions remain high and threats to personal safety are higher than normal, but Americans have not specifically been targeted.
The U.S. Embassy has restricted Embassy employee travel to and within the city of Goma for essential business only. American citizens in the Kivus are encouraged to review their personal security plans and evacuation routes. It is advisable to avoid travel of any kind and to have sufficient resources on hand if it is necessary to remain in the area. American citizens are encouraged to monitor the local and international news on Radio Okapi (in French on 103.5 FM at 07:00, 08:00, 12:00 and 18:00 as well as “flash” updates throughout the day), Radio France International (in French on 105 FM at 05:30, 06:30, 07:30, 13:30 and 19:30), and English-language BBC news at 92.7 FM.
Americans should notify their wardens and the Consular Section when traveling out of the area and if there is a change in residence or contact information. The Consular Section will continue to use the warden cascade notification system to reach Americans in the DRC in case of emergency. In case of an after hours emergency requiring immediate notification, notices may also be sent from the Consular Section’s Vodacom bulk text messaging system or Hotmail email account. These mailboxes will not/not be monitored for incoming messages. Americans in need of assistance should contact the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa at 081-225-5872 or by email at aekinshasaconsular@state.gov.
The Consular Section also reminds citizens of the State Department’s Travel Warning for the DRC, which is dated July 23, 2008. The Travel Warning and the Consular Information Sheet can be accessed at www. travel.state.gov or by contacting the Consular Section.
U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy and to obtain information on travel and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. Citizens may register online at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. Registration information provided at that website is immediately available to the Embassy and will be protected under the Privacy Act.