Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Safety and security

Terrorism

Crime

Political Situation

Democratic Republic of Congo Country Profile

Five years of civil war in DRC officially ended on 29 June 2003, when the Congolese parties to the conflict signed accords sharing military and political responsibilities in a transitional government.  Democratic elections were held on 30 July and 29 October 2006 and the newly elected President was inaugurated on 6 December 2006.  During the election period there was armed conflict in Kinshasa, which resulted in civilian casualties.

In the months following the elections, there were further public demonstrations related to the political process, some of which turned violent (see Local Travel).  Protests have in the past spilled over into attacks on international targets.  You should avoid crowds and popular gathering points, and contact the Embassy if there are signs of trouble.

For immediate, specific information about planned demonstrations or any other events which may affect the local security situation, you should register with/contact the British Embassy in Kinshasa (see Contact Details).

The agreement reached in January 2008 between the DRC government and armed groups offered the chance for peace in the provinces of North and South Kivu, where conflict has continued beyond the end of the civil war. However, issues remain to be resolved, a heavy United Nations peace keeping presence is deployed and the internal peace process remains fragile. Since April 2009, the Congolese army has been carrying out operations against foreign and armed groups operating in North and South Kivu province. Large numbers of civilians remain displaced as a result of the conflict and the current military operations in the Kivus. Acts of violence, including killing, rape and looting continue against the civilian population across wide area in conflict zones.  

Local Travel

Road Travel

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.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

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.  This is regularly updated.  You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

An aircraft chartered by the humanitarian flight operator AirServ crashed near Bukavu in eastern DRC on 1 September 2008.  A flight operated by the domestic airline Hewa Bora crashed in April 2008 in Goma, with extensive loss of life.  Currently, the only air operators British Embassy officials are authorised to use within DRC are United Nations (MONUC and UNHAS), ECHO and ICRC flights.   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. 

For more general information see Airline Security.

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.   A makeshift boat ferrying passengers on the River Lubilanji near Mbuji-Mayi in southern DRC sank in early April 2008. Over thirty people were reported killed as a result. On 22 July 2008, at least 42 people were killed when a river boat sank on the River Oubangui in north western DRC, close to the border with the Central African Republic.  Two boats are reported to have sunk on Lake Tanganyika during December 2008. In the second of these, in which thirty people died, overloading is thought to have been a factor.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.