Crew members passing through Kinshasa are advised to stay off the streets due to ongoing riots and safety risks. Despite the unrest, port operations in Kinshasa and Matadi continue as normal, and transit remains open. Stay informed and remain vigilant, the NorthStandard highlights.
Citing information from its correspondent ”Budd DR Congo”,the Club says that the protests in Kinshasa, DRC have turned violent, with burning tires and vandalism targeting several embassies in Kinshasa, including those of Belgium, France, Kenya, Uganda, the US, and Rwanda. Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The capture of Goma reignites a long-standing regional conflict. Since the Rwandan genocide in 1994, accusations have persisted regarding Rwanda’s support for rebel groups in the DRC, including the M23, to exploit mineral resources in North Kivu province, where Goma is the capital. Fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army (FARDC) has intensified, leading to rebel control over most of Goma, including the airport.
The DRC faces a complex situation with an estimated 120 rebel groups operating in provinces like Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika, committing human rights abuses against civilians and plundering the nation’s rich rare mineral resources.
The UN has confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops in Goma. Goma, located on the Rwandan border, is approximately 2,623 km east of Kinshasa and 3,077 km east of the port city of Matadi.
Areas where Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel
Areas in Kinshasa Province
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
Kinshasa city
-the N1 road in Kinshasa Province, between and including Menkao to the west, Kenge to the east, the border of Mai-Ndombe province to the north, and 10km to the south
-DRC-Central African Republic border
-FCDO advises against all travel to within 50km of the border with the Central African Republic.
Eastern DRC
-FCDO advises against all travel to the provinces of:
Haut-Uélé and Ituri, including the entire DRC-South Sudan border
-North Kivu, including the city of Goma
-South Kivu, including the city of Bukavu
-Maniema
-Tanganyika
-Haut-Lomami
-Territory in Mai-Ndombe Province
-FCDO advises against all travel to the Kwamouth territory of Mai-Ndombe Province. This is between, and including, the towns of Kwamouth, Bandundu and the southern border of Mai-Ndombe province.
Kasaï Oriental, Kasaï, Kasaï Central
-FCDO advises against all travel to the province of Kasaï Oriental.
-FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Kasaï and Kasaï Central.
