U.S. citizens in the DRC are urged to review their personal security and, if appropriate, depart the country. U.S. citizens, English-speaking individuals of other nationalities and travelers who appear to be members of military or missionary groups have sometimes been specifically targeted for arrest, detention, deportation, increased scrutiny and difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, or other forms of harassment. Anyone who wishes to travel outside of Kinshasa must obtain advance written permission from the Ministry of the Interior . Extremist groups continue to make threats of violence against U.S. citizens and interests in the Great Lakes region. While operating out of northeastern DRC in March 1999, a rebel group specifically targeted and killed U.S. citizens and other English-speaking people in southwestern Uganda.
Travelers run the risk of attack or detention.
Travelers should avoid any area where demonstrations are occurring or where crowds have gathered. The U.S. Embassy has imposed a curfew on all U.S. Government employees between midnight and 6 a.m. during the week and from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and urges those U.S. citizens who choose to come to DRC to adhere to this curfew voluntarily to reduce the possibility of questioning and detention by military authorities and police. Security personnel have been known to enforce DRC government-imposed curfews with gunfire. Minor-aged family members are presently prohibited from accompanying U.S. Government employees assigned to Kinshasa. Ferry services between Kinshasa and Brazzaville remain sporadic.