DRC: US Embassy in Kinshasa reopens Dec. 4 /update 6

Event

The American Embassy in Kinshasa reoponed on Tuesday, December 4, following a week of closure due to a credible terrorist threat against US government facilities in the country. An increased security presence should however be anticipated in and around the building.

Residual disruptions to embassy services are possible in the coming days.

Context

According to previous reports from US officials, the embassy closure was related to the arrest of a cell of Tanzanian jihadists from the Ugandan Islamist group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The group was suspected of planning to carry out a cross-border attack on US government facilities from their base in Brazzaville (Republic of Congo). However, emerging unconfirmed reports state that the closure was due to the suspected presence of Somalian Al-Shabaab militants in the DRC.

Advice

Individuals in Kinshasa are advised to monitor the situation, report all suspicious objects and behavior to police, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities and their home government.