Democratic Republic of Congo

Country Profile

KEY FACTS

Capital : Kinshasa

Language : The official language is French and the main local languages are Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo and Shiluba.

Ethnic Groups : There are more than 200 ethnic groups, including the Luba (18 percent), the Mongo (13.5 percent) and the Azande (6.1 percent).

Religion : Roman Catholic 41 to 50 percent, Protestant 32 percent, Muslim 1.2 to 10 percent. Traditional African religions and syncretism are widespread.

Time Zone : Kinshasa, Mbandaka GMT +1; Kasai, Kivu, Haut-Zaire, Shaba GMT +2

Climate : The territory varies from tropical rain forests to plateaux, savannahs, dense grasslands and mountains.

Telephone dialing code : (+) 243

Currency : The currency is Congolese franc.

Terrorism/Security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Local Laws and Customs
Taking photographs in public places risks arrest and detention. Journalists should not conduct interviews or film without the necessary local permits.

Crime
The global economic downturn added to a collapsed economy, non-payment of military and public service salaries, and a very high unemployment has resulted in an increase in crime in DRC. You should be alert to the risk of street crime and armed robbery at all times, including being targeted by armed gangs when driving. Foreigners are at particular risk of street robbery in Kinshasa, often in the vicinity of hotels and supermarkets, particularly in the centre of town.  It was reported that an armed gang operating in the Gombe area of Kinshasa, near the British Embassy, who identify themselves as security services and demand foreigners to show their ID or passports with the intent to rob. Robberies by gangs of street children are increasingly common and becoming more aggressive. Some gangs and confidence tricksters use girls to lure the unwary into traps; others promise cut-price gold and diamonds or pose as police to rob foreigners, including in daylight.  Westerners have been robbed of money and mobile telephones in Kinshasa and elsewhere in DRC. There is also a risk of arbitrary arrests of foreigners by security authorities who demand payment for release. There have been violent and well planned attacks on foreign nationals, including aid workers, in Goma. You should take security precautions. Do not walk in the streets alone or after dark.  Safeguard and avoid displaying valuables and cash.  Deposit them in a hotel safe, where practical.  Keep copies of documents, including your passport, separately.  On the road, you should keep doors locked and windows shut while driving.

Political Situation

Travel to eastern and north eastern DRC is not advised. The only exceptions to this are within the towns of Bukavu and Goma. You should avoid entering or leaving DRC overland from Uganda, Rwanda or Burundi except via Goma or Bukavu. However, care should still be exercised at these crossing points and ensure you have the correct paperwork. Although the Congolese insurgent groups in North and South Kivu signed a peace accord with the government in March 2009, some groups remain outside the process and a threat to stability. The Congolese army has been carrying out military operations against Rwandan rebels present in North and South Kivu since April 2009. This means that outside of Bukavu and Goma, the security situation remains volatile. Banditry by armed men against NGO convoys travelling out of Goma and Bukavu is a regular occurrence. Even in these two towns, tensions remain and the situation can deteriorate rapidly.

Gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park (North Kivu) and Kahuzi Behega National Park (South Kivu) has now re-opened to tourists. Nyiragongo volcano (in Virunga National Park) has also recently re-opened for trekking.  It is not advised to travel in these areas - armed groups are still present in present in both parks. But if you do decide to travel, a government permit is essential to enter the Park.  You must go through the ICCN (Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature), who monitor the security situation and accompany visitors in the Park.  The ICCN may decide to close the Park to visitors at short notice, depending on the security situation.  The ICCN in Virunga Park currently provides an armed escort from the outskirts of Goma to the gorilla trekking site.

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group originating in northern Uganda, is currently operating in north eastern DRC and across the border in Southern Sudan and Central African Republic. Following regional military action in the area, there has been an increase in LRA attacks against the civilian population. Military action is ongoing and the situation remains unpredictable.
Travel to north western DRC around the areas Mbandaka and Gemena is not advised. , Recent fighting resulted in the death of three UN staff, as well as the kidnap of a Spanish tourist. We advise against all but essential travel to the rest of DRC because of continuing tension and insecurity. This can mean that the DRC’s borders with Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda close at short notice.  You should consult the British Embassy in Kinshasa or the British High Commissions in Kampala  and Kigali if in doubt.

Politically-motivated violence can break out from time to time in Kinshasa. The situation in Bas Congo remains tense but for the moment without incident. Particular care should be taken when travelling to the Bas Fleuve region.

The north eastern district of Ituri, near the frontier with Uganda, remains an area of continued inter-factional conflict.  Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers and the Congolese army violence continues sporadically.

The border with Angola can close at short notice. You should check with your travel agent before attempting to cross the border into Angola. Obtaining visas for Angola in DRC is difficult. You are advised to arrange them before travelling to DRC. 

Mapping conflict motives

Province Orientale (DRC) from the International Peace Information Service and Fatal Transactions, 17 March 2010

This document describes the armed groups and army units present in DRC's largest province, Orientale, and analyses their behaviour and motives, leadership structures and strength.  Orientale is host to elements of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Ituri and Mayi-Mayi militias, the Ugandan armed forces and the Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC).  The LRA first became established in the DRC in late 2005, initially little-noticed as it concentrated on farming, poaching and mining.  In September 2008, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) launched, in conjunction with the FARDC, Operation Rudia, meant to dislodge the LRA, and the armed group began targeting the Congolese population; soon, the Ugandan army launched a complimentary offensive against the LRA, and remnants of the Ugandan army remain (unofficially) in Orientale today due to the LRA's continued, stubborn presence.  Rudia II is ongoing, with a significant part of the FARDC committed to it; the FARDC is also seeking to defeat the remaining Ituri militias in Operation 'Iron Stone'.  Ituri has seen several "flare-ups" since independence between the Hema and Lendu; characterised as "ethnic" in nature, the fighting is, the document argues, at root about access to land.  Appearing localised, the conflicts in Ituri are in fact linked to DRC's wider struggles, with various militias having received, for instance, outside sponsorship during the 1998-2003 'African World War'.  Finally, the remaining Mayi-Mayi militias are weakened, under assault from the FARDC when research for this paper was conducted in mid- to late-2009.  In its detailed analysis of the conflict dynamics of Orientale, and their linkages to DRC's and the region's wider struggles, the document thus provides a useful tool aiding the contextual analysis of agencies operating in or close to the province.

http://www.ipisresearch.be/maps/Orientale/20100322_MappingOrientale.pdf

The report links to a series of maps that plot variously: the zones of control of the armed groups; the locations of security incidents, natural resources and land conflicts; and the areas in which particular ethnicities predominate.  The interactive maps of Province Orientale can be found here:

http://www.ipisresearch.be/maps/Orientale/web/index.html

Travel

Visa Requirements
All travellers need a valid visa to travel to DRC. This must be obtained before travelling.A Rwandan or Ugandan immigration stamp in your passport should not prohibit admission, but you may still experience difficulties on arrival in the DRC via Kinshasa if you do have them. 

Satellite phones, GPS receivers or Military clothing
You are advised not to bring satellite phones, GPS receivers or military clothing into the DRC as this could lead to difficulties with the security authorities.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and you are likely to be asked to produce one on arrival.

Insurance
If you decide to travel we strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling. This should include cover for medical treatment and accidents. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

Consular Registration
Register with your embassy to tell them when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so your consular embassy can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
You should carry your passport at all times. We therefore advise that you keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place. This will help you to obtain a replacement, in case your passport is lost or stolen.

Mobile phones
DRC has a GSM network on which most dual-band (or better) mobile phones will work. Coverage is not complete.You are advised not to bring satellite phones, GPS receivers or military clothing into the DRC as this could lead to difficulties with the security authorities.

Driving (Left/Right) : Right

Road Safety
An international driving permit is required to drive in DRC.  Car hire with international companies is possible in Kinshasa. There is no reliable public transport system in DRC.  Over-crowded and unroadworthy vans serve as buses in Kinshasa.  There are few taxis, available from the large hotels, but these do not meet western safety standards.  Outside Kinshasa and other main cities, most roads are barely drivable even with a 4x4, especially during the rainy season (September to May).

In DRC, you should be aware of the vehicle theft and car-jacking, and take sensible precaution. You are advised to drive with the doors of your vehicle locked and windows closed at all times. DRC’s security forces operate roadblocks, particularly after dark. If you are asked to produce documents for inspection at a check point, you should remain in your vehicle and show them through closed windows.

Rail Travel
A train accident occurred in Katanga Province in south-east DRC on 10 June 2009. 10 people were reported to have been killed, and 28 injured, as a result. The dilapidated state of the railways has been blamed for the accident.

Air Travel
The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union.  It is recommended that you avoid flying with any DRC airline. If you already have a flight booked with any DRC airline you should consult your travel agent.

On 30 March 2009, the DRC authorities introduced a departure tax of $50 per passenger on international flights and $10 per passenger on domestic flights. Payment of this tax should be made at the time of check-in, before boarding.  Passengers and visitors also have to pay $12 to enter the car park at the international airport of N’djili.

River Travel

The ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is currently operating, but is subject to cancellation at little notice.  It stops running in the late afternoon, and there is no service on Sundays.

You should be aware that the boats and ferries, which serve the rivers and lakes, are poorly maintained and often overloaded.  Strong currents, shifting sandbanks and poor maintenance contribute to low safety standards. 

Natural Disasters

Volcanoes
Nyamulagira volcano in the north east of the country (near Goma) erupted on 2 January 2010.  Its lava flow affected sparsely-populated areas in the Virunga National Park.  Nyiragongo (20km from Goma) is also showing signs of increased activity. Local authorities, UN agencies and local NGOs are preparing themselves for this possible eventuality.  If you are in the area you should follow local advice.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes occasionally occur in DRC. The last occurred in Eastern DRC on 9 June 2009 and measured approximately 5.0 on the Richter scale.
On 3 February 2008 an earthquake struck Eastern DRC with its epicentre 20kilometres north of Bukavu. It measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake and its aftershocks could be felt in neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi. 5 people are reported dead in DRC with over 200 casualties. A further tremor in the same area, measuring approximately 5.0 on theRichter scale, was reported on 9 June.

On 19 February 2007 anearthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was felt in parts of eastern DRC (mainly north Kivu and southern Ituri). Reports suggest the epicentre was in the border area between DRC and Uganda.

Health

You should obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

Medical evacuation to South Africa (or elsewhere) is advisable as soon as possible. You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical and travel insurance, to include specifically the very high costs of evacuation by air ambulance. Minimum turnaround time for evacuation by air ambulance is 10 hours. 

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and you will be asked to produce one on arrival. You are advised to produce your yellow fever vaccination certificate when applying for your visa to enter DRC.

Disease

Malaria, rabies, polio, meningitis and cholera are common in DRC.

In December 2008 and January 2009, an outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever was reported in West Kasai province (southern DRC).  Ebola is a severe, and often fatal disease. The likelihood that you will contract Ebola is low unless there has been direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, or with objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with body fluids.  You should avoid all contact with infected patients and avoid any contact with ill or dead animals.

Monkeypox occurs in DRC. The monkeypox virus is usually transmitted to humans from infected ground squirrels and rodents. Symptoms include a fever, the appearance of pus-filled blisters all over the body, and lymph node swelling. You should avoid contact with people suffering these symptoms and with animals.

Large numbers of cases of typhoid fever have also been diagnosed in DRC in 2008.Plague is endemic in North Eastern Province Orientale. There have been recent reports of incidents of plague in Djugu territory. We advise that if you are travelling to this region you take all necessary precautions. An outbreak in of African Sleeping Sickness (Trypansomiasis) has been reported by Medecins Sans Frontieres in the Haute- Uele district of North Eastern DRC.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

Medical Supplies and facilities

The Centre Prive d'Urgence (CPU) clinic in Kinshasa is able to cope with basic health problems and to stabilise a patient after most serious accidents. Outside Kinshasa, western standard medical facilities are practically non-existent. Medical evacuation to South Africa (or elsewhere) is advisable as soon as possible.  You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical and travel insurance, to include specifically the very high costs of evacuation by air ambulance.  Minimum turnaround time for evacuation by air ambulance is 10 hours.  If you regularly take medication, you should bring in a properly-marked supply, sufficient for the time you will be in DRC, with you.  You may find it difficult to locate the medicines you need in the country.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to DRC and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

Landmines

For more information on landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), consult the Landmine Monitor, a research and monitoring initiative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the de facto monitoring regime for the Mine Ban Treaty. It independently and impartially monitors and reports on the use of mines by the different actors (Government, Non-State armed groups). It also provides information about identification, marking and fencing of affected areas as well as updated landmines and ERW casualties.

Go to the Landmine Monitor