United Kingdom slams travel restrictions against DR Congo. British Embassy staff withdrawn from Kinshasa
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the United Kingdom’s government department which leads the UK’s global engagement, has issued a travel advisory against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Areas where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advise against travel include the Kinshasa Province.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Kinshasa city, the N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10 kilometers to the south
DR Congo – Central African Republic border
FCDO advises against all travel within 50 kilometers of the border with the Central African Republic.
Eastern DR Congo
FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border, North Kivu, including the city of Goma, South Kivu, including the city of Bukavu, Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami.
Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province
FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province.
Kasaï Oriental, Kasaï, Kasaï Central
FCDO advises against all travel to the province of Kasaï Oriental and all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasaï and Kasaï Central.
Security situation in DRC
North and South Kivu
The department advises British residents and other foreigners that are in Goma or Bukavu to leave immediately should the situation feel safe to do so and if routes are available.
M23 rebels have captured the city of Goma therefore the FCDO advises against all travel to Goma and Bukavu.
The border crossings between Rwanda and the DRC at Gisenyi and Goma could close at short notice.
There are reports that Goma Airport has been attacked by M23 forces and that commercial flights are no longer operating from the airport.
Routes to depart Bukavu are limited.
Support from the UK government is severely limited outside Kinshasa. You should not assume that FCDO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest or crisis.
Kinshasa
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Kinshasa city. If your reasons for being in Kinshasa city are not essential, consider leaving.
On 28 January there were large and violent protests outside multiple embassies in Kinshasa, in response to the fighting in Goma in eastern DRC.
Stay alert and avoid any protests. Carry an identification document, limit movements and be cautious if you are travelling at night. Some flights out of Kinshasa airport have been cancelled. Check ahead before travelling to the airport.
Non-essential staff and dependents of British embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Kinshasa. The embassy continues to provide essential services to British nationals.
Monitor local media as the situation is changing fast.
Help and support in DRC
Foreigners in Congo have been advised to read the FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.
The department asks travelers to contact their travel providers and insurers
“Contact your travel provider and your insurer. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.”
Getting help in DRC
For help in an emergency from the British government, telephone: +243815566200
Read ‘Getting help’ for more information on other ways to get help in DRC.
Contact FCDO in London
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.
You may also find it helpful to see general advice for women travellers, read the guide on disability and travel abroad, read about safety for solo and independent travel and see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.