D.R. Congo dangers

The US State Department continues to warn of risks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (aka Congo-Kinshasa or DRC), particularly in the east and northeast.

In April 2012, members of a rebel group that had been integrated into the Congolese military mutinied, and heavy fighting was reported in Masisi and Rutshuru territories as well as in Virunga National Park. In July, this group captured several towns north of Goma in North Kivu province. Over 200 people were killed and the number of internally displaced persons rose to 1.7 million.

Further, crime is at a critical level in Kinshasa. Domestic air travel on Congolese or other local airlines in the DRC is not recommended. The DRC has seen outbreaks of wild poliovirus and measles recently. Avoid all public demonstrations; even peaceful events can become violent.