News About Congo

anti-Kabila protests 'leave more than 20 dead'

What can be done in Congo?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africaMore than 20 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, Kinshasa, over President Joseph Kabila's failure to give up power, a UN official has said.
Some of the dead were shot at close range by troops, witnesses said.Mr Kabila's 15-year rule was due to have ended on Monday at midnight, but has been extended to 2018.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations and Unrest

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations and Unrest
December 20, 2016
 
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens of clashes between security forces and protestors in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi and other cities, which have included gunfire and tear gas. Remain indoors in a safe location until further notice. 
 
Security forces have established checkpoints and military deployments and have initiated aggressive ID checks and car searches in certain areas of Kinshasa. Carry identification with you in case you encounter a checkpoint.   
 
The U.S. Embassy is expected to remain open on Wednesday, December 21 
 
U.S. citizens should:
· Avoid demonstrations. 
· Be sure to have extra food, water and medication on hand. 
· Establish a communication plan with your friends and family, so they know when to expect to hear from you.
 
Always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  
 
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security. U.S. citizens should review the Travel Warning for the DRC and remain alert for potentially dangerous situations.
 
For further information:
 
· See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, 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).
 
· Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
 

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential for Demonstrations and Unrest

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential for Demonstrations and Unrest
December 19, 2016
 
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens of the potential for demonstrations and civil unrest on/around December 19, the date on which President Joseph Kabila’s term in office was due to end before the government delayed elections. 
 
Security forces have reportedly established checkpoints and military deployments in certain areas of Kinshasa. You should carry some form of identification with you in case you encounter a checkpoint.  
 
U.S. government employees have been instructed to limit their movements to and within Gombe. The Shelter-in-Place order from Sunday, December 18 remains in effect.
 
The U.S. Embassy will be open on Tuesday, December 20. 
 
U.S. citizens should:
 
· Remain indoors in a safe location on December 20.
· Avoid demonstrations.  
· Be sure to have extra food, water and medication on hand. 
· Establish a communication plan with your friends and family, so they know when to expect to hear from you.
 
Always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  
 
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security. U.S. citizens should review the Travel Warning for the DRC and remain alert for potentially dangerous situations.
 
For further information:
 
· See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, 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).
 
· Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Leaving or Staying?

I think Joseph Kabila will be staying in Congo. His close supporters and advisors will not let him leave. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/17/world/africa/congo-joseph-kabila-corruption.html

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — In a mansion along the Congo River, with a collection of expensive watches, expensive motorcycles and a chimpanzee in a cage, Joseph Kabila, the president of this vast and troubled country, should be packing up.

Instead, he is digging in.

His second term is up in a few days, the Constitution forbids him to run for a third, millions of people are threatening to mobilize against him, and still Mr. Kabila shows no signs of leaving.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is already one of the poorest, most volatile nations on earth. Countless young people are out of work, and the security forces are brutal and loosely controlled. Add to that dozens of armed groups operating in the hinterlands.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential for Demonstrations and Unrest

Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential for Demonstrations and Unrest
December 16, 2016
 
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens of the potential for large-scale demonstrations and civil unrest on/around December 19, the date on which President Joseph Kabila’s term in office was due to end before the government delayed elections.
 
Security forces have reportedly established checkpoints in certain areas of Kinshasa. The checkpoints are marked by tires, string, and/or cones and some may be manned by non-French speakers. You should carry some form of identification with you in case you encounter a checkpoint. 
 
U.S. government employees have been instructed to limit their movements to and within Gombe starting on Saturday, December 17. Employees have also been asked to remain in their residences from Saturday at 17:00 until Sunday, December 18 at 05:00. 
 
On Sunday, December 18, a Shelter-in-Place order will go into effect at 19:00. 
 
The U.S. Embassy will be open on Monday, December 19. 
 
U.S. citizens should:
 
· Remain indoors in a safe location on December 19.
· Avoid demonstrations. 
· Be sure to have extra food, water and medication on hand. 
· Establish a communication plan with your friends and family, so they know when to expect to hear from you.
 
Always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  
 
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security. U.S. citizens should review the Travel Warning for the DRC and remain alert for potentially dangerous situations.
 
For further information:
 
· See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, 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).
 
· Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens:Take Precautions December 17-19

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Take Precautions December 17-19
December 15, 2016
 
The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens in the DRC that U.S. government employees have been instructed to limit their movements to and within Gombe starting on Saturday, December 17. Employees have also been asked to remain in their residences from Saturday at 23:00 until Sunday, December 18 at 05:00. 
 
On Sunday, December 18, a Shelter-in-Place order will go into effect at 19:00. 
 
The U.S. Embassy will be open on Monday, December 19. 
 
U.S. citizens should:
 
· Remain indoors in a safe location on December 19.
· Avoid demonstrations. 
· Be sure to have extra food, water and medication on hand. 
· Establish a communication plan with your friends and family, so they know when to expect to hear from you.
 
Always exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  
 
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security. U.S. citizens should review the Travel Warning for the DRC and remain alert for potentially dangerous situations.
 
For further information:
 
· See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, 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).
 
· Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.