U.S. Citizens Services

Consular Warden Notice
United States Embassy
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

August 24, 2006

Wardens:  Please disseminate as soon as possible the following notice to all American citizens within your registration zone.  Thank you.

WARDEN MESSAGE,
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

As noted in the most recent warden messages dated August 21 and August 15, events affecting public safety in Kinshasa and elsewhere in the DRC remain unpredictable.  Situations may develop rapidly and without warning, as was evidenced over the past few days by exchange of gunfire and pillaging in several areas of Gombe.  Tensions remain high and the possibility of situations affecting personal safety remains higher than normal.

While the current situation appears to be calmer than in recent days, American citizens are advised that the U.S. Department of State has issued an updated Travel Warning, effective immediately.  The Travel Warning is available by logging on to www.travel.state.gov.  It is also available through the Consular Section at the Embassy in Kinshasa.

Additionally, the Embassy is advising all American citizens that the number of checkpoints in and around Kinshasa has increased.  As always, Americans are advised to avoid travel at night and are reminded that persons manning these checkpoints may well demand money and other items for passage.

The Embassy communicates significant changes to the local situation using the warden cascade message system.  The warden cascade message system primarily uses written warden messages and the radio network to communicate from the Embassy to the wardens to Americans registered in each zone.  From time to time the Consular section does supplement warden messages with text messaging to get messages of an immediate nature to American citizens in the DRC.  Consular messages originate from only two (2) telephones, 081 710-0061 and 081 710-0197 and/or your warden.    Americans are reminded that these text messages are supplemental only and are dependent upon the availability of the cellular network.

American citizens throughout DRC are encouraged to review their personal security plans, avoid any large crowds, remain vigilant, monitor the local and international news and report any incidents of targeted violence against US citizens to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa by calling 081-225-5872.  In the event of gunfire in the vicinity of home, the Embassy advises staying in an internal room, away from windows.  Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200 and 1800 and provides “flash” updates throughout the day.  English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM.

Americans should notify their wardens and the Consular section when traveling out of town or out of the country, or 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 DRC in case of emergency as this system reaches the broadest number of people most effectively. In case of an after hours emergency requiring immediate email notification, notices may also be sent from the Consular section’s “hotmail” account.  This mailbox will not/not accept or be monitored for incoming messages.  Americans in need of assistance should contact the American Embassy in Kinshasa at 081-225-5872 or by email at aekinshasaconsular@state.gov.

As always, Americans in DRC are encouraged to maintain an emergency supply of food, water and necessary items to last for 3-5 days in the event of a serious disruption to basic infrastructure services.  The Embassy also reminds citizens of the State Department’s travel warning for DRC, which is dated August 24, 2006.  This 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.