Location: Kinshasa
Event:The Catholic Lay Association and others have announced their intention to hold peaceful protests on Sunday, February 25, 2018 in Kinshasa and in provincial cities. Based on events on December 31, 2017 and January 21, 2018, it is possible that internet/SMS services could again be cut and that security forces could again respond with force. As in the past, security forces may also set up checkpoints throughout the weekend, especially during periods of darkness.
Actions to Take:
- Limit travel movements on Sunday and avoid areas of the demonstrations and large crowds in Kinshasa and other provincial cities.
- Review the country page and remain alert for potentially dangerous situations.
Assistance:
- See the State Department’s travel websitefor the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for the DRC.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa, located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, at +243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad); the Consular Section at tel. +243-081-884-6859 or +243-081-884-4609 from Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is 081-556-0151.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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