 |
Country Profile for DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO |
Risk Rating |
General Information |
Country Map |
|
|
Red (High Risk)
InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are dangerous. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Amber (Moderate Risk) InTouch advice: Some parts of the country are dangerous. Travel with caution. Green (Low Risk) InTouch advice: Most parts of the country are safe. Travel freely. |
Capital: Kinshasa Major Languages: French Currency: Congolese Franc Timezone: GMT +1:00 to +2:00 |
|
Overview
Overview
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to face a number of serious challenges almost 10 years after the civil war ended in the country. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the largest peacekeeping force in the world, has around 18,000 troops deployed in the country. The MONUSCO forces are concentrated in eastern DRC and tasked with the consolidation of state authority and the protection of civilians. A number of rebel groups operate in and around the north-east of the country, including Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the Mai-Mai militia and the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).
The March 23 Movement (M23), another rebel military group, was formed in April, 2012 after approximately 300 soldiers mutinied against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). The M23, led by the Rwandan Bosco Ntaganda, is currently involved in a conflict with the FARDC and MONUSCO troops in the eastern region of North Kivu. Much of the fighting has taken place around the town of Goma, close to the border with Rwanda, and more than 200,000 people have been displaced. All non-essential travel to North Kivu should be avoided wherever possible.
Incidents of civil unrest frequently break out in the country, most recently during the disputed presidential elections in November, 2011. The result, which saw Joseph Kabila sworn in for another term, was heavily criticised by outside observers and Kabila’s main challenger, Etienne Tshisekedi. Human Rights Watch said that the DRC security forces killed at least 24 people during election violence, most of which took place in Kinshasa. Police used tear gas to break up protests and large parts of the city were under lock-down, with thousands of troops deployed to restore order. Foreign nationals are advised to avoid all large scale public gatherings as a precaution.
A mixture of high unemployment and easy access to weapons have contributed to the high levels of crime in the DRC. Foreigners have been targeted by armed criminals, especially in central Kinshasa, and robberies are reported to be increasingly aggressive. The risk is elevated significantly after dark; as a consequence visitors should refrain from walking around at night. There have also been reports of increasingly violent attacks on foreign nationals in Goma in the restive province of North Kivu. There is also a moderate threat of kidnapping in DRC and foreign nationals have been targeted in recent years. In April, 2012 two aid workers from MSF were kidnapped near Nyanzale in North Kivu; back in 2010 eight Red Cross staff were briefly kidnapped in South Kivu by Mai Mai Yakutumba rebels before being released unharmed.
Alerts
Alert for Democratic Republic Of Congo
M23 rebels clash with government troops outside Goma - 20 May 2013:
Heavy fighting has been reported in eastern DR Congo between government soldiers and fighters from the M23 rebel group. The clashes, which occurred 12km north of Goma in Kivu province, are the first to take place between the two sides since the rebels withdrew from the region last year. The fighting comes as a new 3,000 UN-backed African peacekeeping force are arriving in the country tasked with dealing with the M23, a move which the group have described as a declaration of war.
Army base attack leaves 31 dead in eastern DRC - 15 May 2013:
At least 31 people have been killed after gunmen attacked an army base in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Mai Mai fighters and DRC army fought a two-hour gun battle at the recruitment centre near the town of Beni in North Kivu province.
UN peacekeeper killed in South Kivu attack - 8 May 2013:
A Pakistani peacekeeper working for the United Nations has been killed in an ambush in the eastern South Kivu province. A spokesman for the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the attack had been carried out by "unknown assailants".
Security forces clash with Mai Mai militia - 23 March 2013:
At least five people have been killed in clashes between security forces and members of the Mai Mai militia in western DR Congo. Members of the militia are reported to have opened fire on security forces in the city of Lubumbashi.
Unrest in eastern DRC leaves 36 dead - 01 March 2013:
At least 36 people have been killed in clashes between the army and militants in eastern DR Congo. Members of the Alliance of Patriots for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS) militia attacked the town of Kitchanga in North Kivu province, which is associated with the rival M23 rebels.
Rival M23 factions clash in eastern DRC - 27 February 2013:
At least eight people have been killed in clashes between rival factions on the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo. The fighting has been linked to an internal power struggle between the group's leader Jean-Marie Runiga and military chief Sultani Makenga.
Regional leader agree DRC peace deal - 25 February 2013:
Regional African leaders have signed a UN-brokered peace agreement aimed at bringing peace to the restive eastern region of DR Congo. The deal, which was signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, includes the creation of a special UN "intervention group" to deal with the rebel groups in the area, such as the M23 movement.
Rebels begin withdrawal in eastern DRC - 28 November 2012:
M23 rebels have started a phased withdrawal from the territory they have captured in eastern DR Congo. A spokesman fro the group said that the rebels were starting to leave the town of Mushake, and would later withdraw from Sake and Goma.
General Amisi suspended as head of army - 22 November 2012:
The Democratic Republic of Congo's government have suspended the head of the army's ground forces, General Gabriel Amisi, following a UN report which accused him of selling army to rebel groups. The Communications Minister Lambert Mende announced the suspension on national television.
Goma falls to DRC rebels - 20 November 2012:
The city of Goma has fallen to the M23 rebel group, according to its spokesman Colonel Vianney Kazarama. Local media reports have said that apart from a few brief exchanges of fire there was little resistance from the Congolese army.
M23 rebels advance on Goma - 18 November 2012:
M23 rebels have advanced to the city of Goma, pushing back UN peacekeepers and government troops. A spokesman for the rebels said that the group has no current plans to capture the city or its airport, instead they are demonstrating their military capabilities before releasing their demands for a ceasefire.
Fighting reported near Goma city - 15 November 2012:
Heavy fighting has been reported between the Congolese army and M23 rebels around the village of Kibumba, near the Ugandan border. The governor of North Kivu province told the AP news agency that 44 rebels had been killed in the fighting, which is the heaviest since July.
Two DRC killed soldiers at Rwandan border - 04 November 2012:
Two soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been killed in a shootout with Rwandan troops along the country's shared border. The incident occurred after a large contingent of Congolese soldiers crossed the border and, according to a RDF spokesman, opened fire on Rwandan military observers.
Militia attacks kills three in Virunga National Park - 26 October 2012:
Two rangers and a soldier have been killed during an attack by members of the Mai Mai militia in Virunga National Park in eastern DRC. According to the park director five rebels were also killed in the ambush.
Grenade attack kills one in Goma - 09 October 2012:
At least one person has been killed in a grenade attack in the volatile city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. According to an army spokesman unknown assailants threw a grenade into the a crowd of people in the Mapendo district of the city.
Aid workers flee North Kivu - 27 September 2012:
The continuing conflict in North Kivu has forced aid workers to flee the area as they deem it too unsafe to continuing providing services there. Members of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have recently left the town of Pinga due to an increase in fighting in the area.
M23 rebels under attack near Goma - 25 July 2012:
Members of the M23 rebel group are under attacked by UN-backed government forces, according to local reports. More than 20,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
UN helicopters attack M23 positions in eastern DRC - 13 July 2012:
UN and government helicopter gunships have attacked M23 rebel positions in eastern DR Congo. The attack took place north of the town of Goma, close to the border with Rwanda.
Rebels seize eastern town of Rutshuru - 08 July 2012:
Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have seized the strategic eastern town of Rutshuru. Around 600 soldiers are reported to have fled into neighbouring Uganda after members of the M23 rebel group took control of the town.
Mutineers seize territory is eastern DRC - 15 June 2012:
Mutineers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have seized territory in North Kivu, close to the Rwandan border. The UN estimates that more than 200,000 have fled their homes since fighting began April.
UN claims Rwanda support for DRC rebels - 28 May 2012:
The UN has claimed that Rwanda are supporting the armed rebellion in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda's foreign ministry has denied the claims, claiming that the UN report is "categorical lies".
Rebel clashes leave 100 dead in eastern DRC - 22 May 2012:
Rwandan Hutu rebels have clashed with members of the Mai Mai militia in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaving around 100 people dead.
UNHCR workers shot dead in Goma - 22 May 2012:
A Field Safety Assistant for UNHCR has been shot dead in the town of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rocky Kalume Makabuza, 38, was shot in the stomach at his home by an unknown assailant.
Heavy fighting reported in eastern DRC - 11 May 2012:
Heavy fighting has been reported in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after a deadline expired for army mutineers to surrender. More than ten thousand people have fled into neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda to escape the fighting.
Ntaganda seizes control of east Congo towns - 30 April 2012:
General Bosco Ntaganda has seized control over the eastern towns of Mushake and Karuba following clashes with DRC troops. Ntaganda, known locally as the Terminator, is a notorious rebel leader and army defector who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for recruiting child soldiers.
UN concerned over civilian displacement - 21 January 2012:
The United Nations has voiced concern over violence in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has displaced more than 100,000 people. In recent months fighting has been reported between rival militia groups in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Rwandan rebels attack villages in DRC - 05 January 2012:
Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) are reported to have killed 26 people in a series of attacks on villages in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Hutu rebel group carried out the attacks in the Shabunda region of South Kivu province.
Kabila rejects election corruption claims - 12 December 2011:
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, has said that mistakes were made during last months presidential election, but rejected accusations that the vote lacked credibility. Around 21 people were killed in political unrest in the country.
Violence reported during presidential elections - 28 November 2011:
Three people are reported to have been killed in DRC after gunmen attacked polling stations in the city of Lubumbashi. Police have banned any further campaign rallies during the presidential elections.
Police clash with opposition protesters - 06 October 2011:
Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo have used tear gas to disperse crowds at an opposition rally in the capital Kinshasa. The protest, organised by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi's UDPS party, was not authorised according to police. Presidential elections are set to be held next month and further political unrest should be expected in the interim.
Police fire tear gas at opposition protesters - 01 September 2011:
Police have fired tear gas at opposition protesters in the country's capital Kinshasa. The opposition has accused the electoral commission of fraud ahead of presidential elections, which are scheduled to take place in November.
Election protests turn violent in Kinshasa - 04 July 2011:
Police in Kinshasa have used tear gas to disperse crowds of people who had gathered to protest against alleged irregularities in voter registration. Presidential elections are scheduled for November, which incumbent Joseph Kabila is expected to win.
Cholera outbreak in eastern DRC - 07 April 2011:
An outbreak of cholera has claimed at least 51 lives in the eastern city of Kisangani since the disease was first reported on 23 February. More than a thousand people are reported to have been infected by the disease and heavy rains threaten to undermine the emergency chlorination programme.
Seven killed in failed coup attempt - 27 February 2011:
Seven people have been killed in a failed coup attempt against President Joseph Kabila in the country's capital, Kinshasa. Around 60 men armed with light weapons and RPGs are reported to have attempted to break into the residence of Kabila but they were repelled by the Republican Guard.
Kidnapped oil worker released unharmed - 17 February 2011:
A South African oil worker has been released unharmed by rebels in eastern DRC. He had been kidnapped along with a Congolese soldier in North Kivu.
Data
Democratic Republic Of Congo Data Sheet
Population: 75.5 million
Major Religion/s: : Christianity, Islam
International dialling code: +243
International dialling prefix: 00
Emergency services: None currently in operation
Drives: Right
Voltage: 220V
Climate: Tropical
Other Major Cities: Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi, Kolwezi, Kisangani
Borders: Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola
Mobile Networks:
For more information visit:
Orange:
Vodafone:
O2:
http://www.o2international.co.uk/
T-Mobile:
Journalists Under Attack
Journalists Under Attack
- 17 May 2013 Journalist found dead in Eastern Congo
1 journalist casualties. - 23 Oct 2012 Rebel and government leaders asked to protect reporters in Congo
- 14 Dec 2011 RNW journalist tells of lucky escape in DRC
- 08 Nov 2011 Congo-Kinshasa: Cameraman attacked by supporters of the presidential party
- 31 Oct 2011 Journalist arrested for story yet to be published
- 21 Jun 2011 Kambale Musonia
1 journalist casualties.
Media Safety
Media Safety
- 17 May 2013 Journalist found dead in Eastern Congo
GOMA, Congo (AP) — The body of a Congolese journalist was found on the ... - 23 Oct 2012 Rebel and government leaders asked to protect reporters in Congo
Two IFEX members have joined forces to call for the increased safety of journalists ... - 14 Dec 2011 RNW journalist tells of lucky escape in DRC
By Anneke Verbraeken ‘She just went to get some biscuits and now she’s dead’, cries ... - 08 Nov 2011 Congo-Kinshasa: Cameraman attacked by supporters of the presidential party
Freddy Kalume, a cameraman for Radio Télévision Lubumbashi Jua (RTLJ), a private television station ... - 31 Oct 2011 Journalist arrested for story yet to be published
By Jerry Nguwa With the General Elections in almost a month time, tension is rising ... - 21 Jun 2011 Kambale Musonia
Kambale Musonia, 29, a reporter for Community Radio of South Lubero, was shot dead ...