Security

The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. The Government of Canada will assist you in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at your personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability is high.

The general security situation in the country is stable but unpredictable, given persisting armed conflicts in the east, the impossibility for the Congolese government and United Nations (UN) observation forces to impose order throughout the territory, and endemic criminality.

Curfews may be imposed without warning. Follow the directives of the local authorities at all times.

Part of the southern border of the DRC with Angola, which runs along the province of Kasaï Occidental, is subject to periodic closures. Security has been stepped up in this region.

Points of entry from Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda (see Advisory)

Points of entry/exit from Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda should be avoided at all times because of the continuing insecurity and lawlessness in these areas. The DRC borders with Burundi and Rwanda can be closed on short notice. The border crossings between the DRC and Rwanda are closed at Goma and Bukavu from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Provinces of North and South Kivu (see Advisory)

Armed conflicts continue despite the signing of peace accords and the presence of UN forces. Members of various armed groups involved in these clashes continue to plunder and commit violent criminal acts against civilians, including murder, kidnapping, armed assault and rape. The resulting humanitarian crisis has contributed to the increase in population movements.

The situation in the Kivus remains very tense and uncertain. A number of armed rebel groups operate in the area. Occasional fighting between rebel groups and the Congolese army has been taking place north of Goma. During the intense fighting that took place between the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congolese army in late August 2013, some rebel shelling hit the city of Goma causing civilian casualties. Rebel forces have since been pushed further north. The security situation in and around the Goma-Rutshuru corridor remains volatile. If you are in North or South Kivu and assess that your security is at risk, leave immediately. Local businesses and services, including the airport, are often disrupted in these provinces.

The Ituri district

You are advised against all travel to the Ituri district of Orientale province, in the northeast of the country, where armed clashes persist despite earlier progress made in disarming militia groups. Outside of the main town of Bunia, government security structures are weak.

Garamba National Park and border areas with South Sudan and Uganda

You are advised against all travel to Garamba National Park and the border areas with South Sudan and Uganda in the northeast of the country. Despite the fact that the Ugandan, Congolese and South Sudanese armed forces and the UN have intensified their operations, the Lord’s Resistance Army continues to commit acts of violence against the civilian population. Many people have been killed and thousands have fled the region.

Bas-Congo Province (West) (see Advisory)

You are advised against all non-essential travel to Bas-Congo Province, in the west of the country, where followers of the political-religious group Bundu dia Kongo and security forces clashed in January and February 2008.

Ebola

Screening measures are in place at entry points in an attempt to contain the Ebola outbreak.

Crime

The DRC is experiencing increased criminality as a result of the current economic crisis and the prevailing climate of impunity. A high rate of violent crime and pickpocketing is reported in both urban and rural areas, especially after nightfall, in high-density public areas and on public transportation. Certain individuals offering discounted precious metals and diamonds have robbed foreigners. Avoid walking alone and displaying signs of wealth.

In vehicles, doors must be locked and windows raised. You are advised against leaving the main highways, parking in unsupervised areas, and stopping at the scene of an accident or at intersections where people are gathered.

Demonstrations

There continue to be risks of political or ethnic demonstrations giving rise to acts of violence and attacks throughout the country, including attacks against international targets. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.

Demonstrations have taken place across the country since November 20, 2012, including in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Bunia. Further demonstrations could target the MONUSCO, other international organizations and non-governmental organizations. It is important to exercise extreme caution and to avoid large crowds.

Roadblocks

Roadblocks are often set up by people posing as police or military personnel in order to rob people travelling at night. You should beware of civilians wearing police or military uniforms, or posing as police or military. On occasion, travellers are detained and questioned by ill-disciplined security forces at certain legitimate military roadblocks throughout the country.

Local authorities may ask you to present your passport and visa at any time. In such situations you are advised to remain calm and cooperative. Persons who fail to comply with this regulation could face expulsion. Carry with you a certified copy of your passport and visa, which can be obtained at the Canadian embassy in Kinshasa. Your original passport should be stored in a secure place at all times.

You should also check with local authorities to see whether you need to obtain prior authorization for in-country travel. You are advised to show your documents through the raised window of the vehicle, when possible, to reduce the risk of their being temporarily confiscated in an attempt to extract a bribe. If detained, Canadians can contact the embassy.

Public Transportation

There is no reliable public transport system in the DRC. Overcrowded and non-roadworthy vans serve as buses in Kinshasa. There is no organized public transit or taxi service in Kinshasa as well as in several other parts of the country. The only reliable taxis are affiliated with certain large hotels. Few independent taxis are available and most of them do not meet safety standards. It is possible to lease a car with or without a driver through international companies in Kinshasa.

Rail service is unsafe. The link between Kamina (Katanga) and the cities of Kindu (Maniema) and Kalemie (northern Katanga) is currently interrupted. The link between Ilebo and the Katanga via Kananga (western Kasaï) has been restored. Two weekly trains connect Kinshasa and Matadi.

The N’Djili international airport in Kinshasa can close without notice.

While the ferry service between Kinshasa and Brazzaville is operating, it may be interrupted with little or no warning. Boats are often unsafe because of poor maintenance and overcrowding, and shipwrecks frequently occur. An entry visa issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) is required to cross the Congo River from Kinshasa to Brazzaville.

See Transportation Safety in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

Road travel

Roads are not well maintained and are poorly lit. Some roads may become impassable during the rainy season. Road infrastructure is particularly damaged in the provinces surrounding Kinshasa, especially on the roads leading to Kikwit and Matadi, where you should travel in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Travel by road can be hazardous as drivers are aggressive.

Official motorcades

Presidential and other official motorcades pose hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Drivers should pull to the far side of the road when sirens or security forces announce their presence. You should not take photographs of motorcades or use communication devices that were not acquired or registered locally, including cellular phones and hand-held radios. Proceed only when security forces permit you to do so.

General security information

Tourist facilities are very limited in Kinshasa and almost non-existent outside the capital.

If you are going to Kinshasa, ensure there is someone to meet you when you arrive at the airport.

Communications by land phones and cellular phones are poor.