R 141405Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1240
INFO AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE

UNCLAS BRAZZAVILLE 000012 
 
 
DS/OSAC AND DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND 
SAFETY REPORT FOR REPUBLIC OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE 
 
REF: 2008 STATE 132056 
 
 
¶I. Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
¶A. Crime Threats: In the Republic of Congo (ROC) major crimes 
against foreigners is rare, however muggings and pickpocketings 
do occur in the capital city of Brazzaville and in the port city 
of Point Noire. Criminal elements are known to target 
middle-class and affluent neighborhoods without 24-hour guards. 
Care should be taken at night and in areas where street children 
congregate. Roadblocks manned by armed groups are common on the 
route traveling south of Brazzaville through the Pool region. 
Travelers should note that in the case of theft and robbery 
legal recourse is limited, therefore, they may wish to leave all 
valuable items at home. 
 
¶B. Safety: Most roads within the cities of Brazzaville and Point 
Noire are in need of major repair. Potholes are a very common 
and serious hazard. An even greater hazard are the taxi and 
minibus drivers who swerve erratically to avoid potholes or to 
pick-up fares. Emission controls and traffic laws are not 
enforced, creating polluted and congested road conditions. 
 
II. Political Violence: 
¶A. Historical Perspective: The last bout of fighting in the 
Congo Civil Wars broke out in March 2002 when rebel groups 
launched attacks first in the Pool region and later in 
Brazzaville. The fighting was quickly contained in Brazzaville, 
however "Ninja" rebels continued to resist in the Pool region. 
In March 2003, the ROC government signed a cease-fire accord, 
which remains in effect today. Efforts to integrate the 
ex-combatants into mainstream society continue, however the 
process has been slow and rebels have been reluctant to disarm. 
 
¶B. Regional Terrorism and Organized Crime: There are no known 
groups operating in ROC. 
 
¶C. International Terrorism or Transnational Terrorism: There are 
no known groups operating in ROC. 
 
¶D. Civil Unrest: Civil unrest is rare in ROC, however rallies 
and demonstrations do occur during election periods and are 
occasionally marred by violence. Travelers should avoid 
political rallies and street demonstrations.  Presidential 
elections are scheduled for July 2009. 
 
III. Post Specific Concerns: 
¶A. Floods: Heavy rains and floods occur during the rainy seasons 
of October-December and March-May. 
 
¶B. Industrial and Transportation Accidents: Two Antonov aircraft 
accidents in 2005 resulting in loss of life, and a third in 
neighboring DRC in 2007, have caused the suspension of Antonov 
passenger flight operations in the ROC. 
 
¶C. Kidnappings: Kidnapping for criminal profit is not a known 
practice in ROC. 
 
¶D. Drugs and Narco-Terrorism: Drug abuse is reportedly common in 
poor neighborhoods, however evidence of drug trade is not 
readily apparent to travelers in Brazzaville and Point Noire. 
 
IV. Police Response: 
¶A. Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment: Travelers 
complain that border police and traffic police arbitrarily delay 
them to check documents, with the officers often warning that 
there is a problem and demanding a fine be paid. Travelers 
should abide by orders from public officials, but are advised to 
courteously request to speak with a supervisor and to contact 
their embassy if they feel they are being threatened or are in 
violation of a law. 
 
¶B. Police Contact Numbers: Police resources are limited and 
response to emergency calls is often slow. 
Brazzaville- 516 89 89 or 815 387 
Point Noire- 558 46 18 or 596 07 70 
 
¶V. Medical Emergencies: 
¶A. Contact Information for Local Hospitals and Clinics: Medical 
facilities are extremely limited. Some medicines are in short 
supply, particularly outside the larger cities. Travelers should 
carry their own supply of appropriately labeled medications. 
Travelers to ROC are at a high risk for contracting malaria. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that 
travelers should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: 
Mefloquine, Doxycycline, or Atovaquone/Proguanil; as well as 
other protective measures to prevent insect bites, such as the 
use of insect repellent. In February 2003, the Department of 
State issued a Public Announcement stating that there had been a 
number of deaths in the remote border area between northeastern 
Gabon and ROC due to an outbreak of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. 
This was the third such outbreak since December 2001. No vaccine 
or antiviral medication is available for treatment of Ebola. 
Travelers are advised to consult with their physician, the CDC 
or other health professionals regarding immunizations and other 
precautions or concerns before traveling to ROC. 
CHU General Hospital- Plateau de Quinze Ans, Centreville, 
Brazzaville (switchboard not operational) 
Netcare Clinic- 661 52 53 or 666 69 11 
COGEMO Clinic- 563 79 68 
 
¶B. Air Ambulance Services: AMREF Flying Doctors based out of 
Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. 
Tel: (254 20) 315454, 315455, 600090, 600602 
Mobile: +254 733-628-422, +254 733-639-088 
Satellite Phone: +873 762315580 
 
VI. Travel Precautions: 
¶A. Crimes Unique or Frequent in Region: Crime in Brazzaville and 
Point Noire is typical of many large cities in Sub-Saharan 
Africa. There are large pockets of very poor living adjacent to 
the very wealthy. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity or 
against residences without guard services. Pickpocketing, 
muggings and aggressive street persons are the most common 
threat. There has been an increase in incidents with aggressive 
street kids in Brazzaville. In Point Noire there was a reported 
incident of drink tampering targeting a foreign traveler in a 
local nightclub and an armed robbery of an AMCIT on the beach. 
Few thefts are reported from the hotels in the larger cities of 
ROC and most employ security on the premises, however 
precautions should be taken to protect valuables. 
 
¶B. Best Security Practices: Travelers should maintain awareness 
of their surroundings at all times. Keep doors and windows 
closed and locked when traveling in vehicles. Avoid walking 
alone at night. Photographs of government buildings and military 
installations should not be taken without permission. 
Photographs of national forests, parks, ports, infrastructure, 
etc. may be taken with permission from the appropriate ministry 
or authority. When photographing persons, especially police and 
military, it is best to request permission. If permission is 
refused, the photo should not be taken. There are no travel 
restrictions imposed in ROC, however caution is urged when 
traveling through the Pool region as there are reports of 
frequent roadblocks and robberies by armed groups. 
 
VII. Embassy Contacts: 
Embassy switchboard is manned 24-hours. From the U.S. dial 
prefix 011. Local calls omit 242 country code. 
Switchboard: 242 811 481 or 242 811 480 
Regional Security Officer (RSO): 242 526 3556 
American Citizen Services: 242 811 481 
Duty Officer: 242 526 3562 
 
The U.S. Embassy is currently located in the BDEAC building in 
Brazzaville.  The new embassy is scheduled to open in January 
2009 and is located on Maya Maya Avenue near the airport. 
 
VII. OSAC Country Council: 
At present, there is no OSAC Country Council in the Republic of 
Congo. 
 
 
EASTHAM