DRC: US Embassy in Kinshasa to remain closed December 3 /update 5

Event

On Sunday, December 2, the US State Department announced that the American Embassy in Kinshasa will remain closed on Monday, December 3, due to an ongoing, credible terrorist threat against US government facilities in the country. The embassy has already been closed for almost a week due to the threat. US citizens in the DRC in need of emergency services have been advised to call 081-556-0151. Further disruptions to embassy services are possible in the coming days.

Context

According to US officials, the embassy closure is 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).

Advice

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