The United States government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid the ongoing crisis.
- Conflict in eastern DRC has escalated, displacing over 480,000 people
- The United States issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- The Embassy has shut down operations and issued urgent warning requesting U.S. citizens to leave the DRC
According to the statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, a Level 4 travel advisory has been issued, strongly warning all U.S. citizens against traveling to the DRC at this time.
The embassy further announced plans to reduce the number of U.S. personnel stationed in the country due to the deteriorating security situation.
Additionally, all U.S. citizens currently in the DRC have been urged to depart immediately using commercial travel options.
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The advisory also noted that the embassy will suspend visa interviews and will be unable to provide routine consular services to U.S. citizens due to security concerns in Kinshasa.
“Make sure that your and your family’s travel documents are in order and essential items are packed in bags that you can easily carry. We understand that border crossings remain open for transit and many flights are departing from N’Djili Airport in Kinshasa.” the statement added.
Update on DRC, M23 Crisis
The conflict in eastern DRC escalated in January 2025, with clashes in Goma, North Kivu, displacing over 480,000 people and worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Hostilities between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 group have intensified, with M23 advancing south towards Bukavu after seizing Goma.
Currently, 5.6 million Congolese are internally displaced, with over 4 million in the eastern provinces.
Civilians remain frequent targets amid ongoing clashes between armed groups and military forces.
In Kinshasa, protesters targeted embassies of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, France, Belgium, and the U.S. while armed groups continue to pose threats to military, civilian, and humanitarian operations in the DRC.
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Rwandan President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are locked in a heated dispute following the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in a Rwandan-backed invasion of eastern DRC.
Kagame accused Ramaphosa of spreading “distortions and lies” about Rwanda’s involvement, while Ramaphosa’s remarks implied Rwandan responsibility.
Kagame las also dismissed claims of Rwanda’s militia ties, asserting that the South African peacekeeping force is acting as a combatant.
