The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising the alert to Level 3 and advising travelers to reconsider visiting due to crime and civil unrest. Certain regions are designated as Level 4, with a clear warning: do not travel.
The advisory lists North and South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central, and Mai-Ndombe provinces as areas with heightened risk. The primary concerns in these provinces include violent crime such as murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, and pillaging. Armed conflict between government forces and groups like M23 is ongoing in North and South Kivu. Missiles and armed drones have been used in these conflicts, displacing thousands of residents.
Terrorist organizations operate in several affected provinces and have targeted both military and civilian sites. Humanitarian workers are among those at risk from attacks by these groups.
Demonstrations occur frequently throughout the DRC’s cities; some have escalated into violence resulting in deaths or arrests. Police responses can be forceful or delayed. Looting, property damage, traffic obstruction, and assaults sometimes follow inadequate law enforcement intervention.
The advisory notes that local police often lack resources to respond effectively to serious crimes. There have been cases where assailants impersonate security personnel. U.S. citizens detained by DRC authorities may face delays before embassy notification or access is granted; violence during interrogations has also been reported.
U.S. government employees working outside Kinshasa must obtain special authorization before traveling to high-risk provinces due to safety concerns. Emergency consular services cannot be provided outside Kinshasa because of infrastructure limitations and security risks.
“Do not travel to these areas for any reason,” the advisory states regarding all Level 4 regions.
Travelers who decide to visit the DRC despite warnings are urged to avoid demonstrations and crowds; carry photocopies of their passport and visa; enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP); review country security reports; prepare emergency plans; purchase travel insurance covering evacuation assistance; develop communication plans with family or employers; and consult health guidance from the CDC on current risks when traveling abroad https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/congo-democratic-republic-of-the .
Further details about regional threats—including terrorist activity—can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2022/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ . Additional information for travelers is available through official channels https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo.html .
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