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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 079525 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC CG
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE 
 
¶1. This Travel Warning clarifies the areas of eastern Congo 
affected by rebel activity, deletes information on ebola, 
and adds information on aviation safety.  Overall, the 
security situation in the country remains unchanged.  This 
Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo issued January 8, 2008. 
 
¶2. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens 
against travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
(Congo-Kinshasa).  Conditions within certain regions of the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain dangerous. 
Official personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa are 
restricted from travel to the North Kivu area unless the 
travel is for official business and has been authorized by 
the Embassy. 
 
¶3. Fighting between armed rebels, Congolese military 
forces, and U.N. peacekeeping troops continues in the 
provinces of North and South Kivu, eastern Orientale, 
northern Katanga, and sporadically in Bas Congo.  U.S. 
citizens are warned particularly against travel in eastern 
Congo as fighting there is expected to continue for the 
foreseeable future.  Armed groups as well as active duty 
and demobilized Congolese troops in parts of the country, 
including eastern Congo, are known to pillage, carjack, and 
steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and 
carry out military or paramilitary operations.  Government 
soldiers, as well as rebel fighters expected to be 
demobilized as a result of ongoing peace processes, remain 
a security concern.  Travelers are frequently detained and 
questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at 
numerous roadblocks and border crossings throughout the 
country. 
 
¶4. Travelers to the DRC frequently experience difficulties 
at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary 
detention, passport confiscation, and demands by 
immigration and security personnel for unofficial "special 
fees."  Visas are not available at ports of entry.  All 
resident foreigners, including Americans, are required to 
register at the office of the Direction General de 
Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of 
residence.  Border closures of 24-48 hour durations can 
occur without much advance notice. 
 
¶5. Enforcement of aviation safety standards in the DRC is 
uneven, with frequent incidents and crashes.  The U.S. 
Embassy has prohibited official travel by U.S. government 
employees and contractors on all DRC-owned and operated 
commercial airlines due to safety and maintenance concerns. 
International flights on foreign-owned and -operated 
carriers are not affected by this notice. 
 
¶6. American citizens should avoid all public demonstrations 
and areas where crowds are gathered, exercise caution, and 
closely watch and listen for 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" 
updates throughout the day.  English-language news can be 
found on BBC at 92.7 FM.  In times of emergency, the 
Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast 
system at FM 98.8.  Changes in security conditions may 
occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel. 
 
¶7. Public Health concerns also pose a hazard to U.S. 
citizen travelers due to outbreaks of deadly viruses and 
other diseases which can occur without warning and many 
times are not rapidly reported by local health 
authorities.  Information on personal protection for 
international travelers including children can be found at 
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel. 
 
STATE 00079525  002 OF 002 
 
 
¶8. U.S. citizens who travel to or 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; the Consular Section entrance is 
located on Avenue Dumi, opposite Saint Anne's Residence. 
The Embassy's 24-hour phone number is 243-81-225-5872; 
callers within 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. 
 
¶9. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of 
State's most recent Country Specific Information for the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Worldwide Caution 
Public Announcement, both located on the Department's 
Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  Up-to-date 
information on safety and security is available toll free 
at 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, 
or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers 
outside the U.S. and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal 
holidays). 
 
¶10. Minimize considered. 
RICE