DR Congo Country Report

One of Africa’s largest and most ethnically diverse countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been wracked by decades of instability and conflict. Large swathes of the vast country remain outside the control of the government, which coupled with limited judiciary capabilities has created an environment conducive for violent crime, endemic corruption, human rights violations and a culture of impunity. Historically, the eastern and northeastern regions have been the most susceptible to insecurity driven by a myriad of rebel movements and other armed groups. The DRC’s infrastructure, ranging from roads to power supplies and Internet connectivity, is extremely under-developed, which has hindered development, foreign investment and economic growth. The country also remains ill-equipped to deal with a range of serious health concerns such as malaria and cholera, with the lack of access to decent healthcare facilities compounding the impact of such diseases. Authorities are also regularly affected by Ebola outbreaks, especially in the East of the country.

The security situation in the eastern regions, specifically Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces, remains severe. There are regular reports of fatal attacks and kidnappings conducted by some of the numerous armed groups operating in the area. Militants usually use significant and indiscriminate violence, and foreign personnel may become the target of attacks due to the perception that they are wealthy and vulnerable. The armed groups have been involved in looting, rapes, killings, and forced child soldier recruitment.

Violent and petty crime rates are high across the DRC due to poor economic conditions and limited capabilities of the state's security apparatus.

There is a high risk of violent unrest in the DRC, primarily driven by political tensions and a fractious political climate.

The DRC’s aviation sector poses significant security risks, as no domestic airline adheres to international safety standards, and most airports do not comply with international regulations.

The DRC’s road network is in a serious state of disrepair, further exacerbated by erratic driving conditions and poor vehicle maintenance.

DRC's two current main ports, Matadi and Boma are shallow water ports, limited by the depth of the Congo river, where they are sited. For deep water cargo, DRC relies on its neighbor, the Republic of the Congo.

The DRC has one of the lowest national electrification rates in the world, primarily concentrated in urban hubs.

Cybercrime is not a serious concern in the DRC given the limited Internet access among the population.

Most of the DRC lies within the equatorial climatic region, and therefore its climate is characterized by heavy precipitation, high temperatures, and high humidity. Southern and far north regions have somewhat drier subequatorial climates. Flooding and landslides are common during the rainy seasons and can cause fatalities as well as significant damage to infrastructure. Climate change is expected to modify rain patterns, causing an increased risk of droughts and soil erosion in the south and generating more intense episodes of flooding in the north. The DRC’s eastern provinces are located in a seismically-active region, with several volcanoes present. Unexploded ordnance and landmines are a significant risk, with contamination often concentrated in areas to the east of the Kasai region.

Water and vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, and yellow fever, are prevalent in the DRC. Medical facilities are severely limited, and evacuations are generally required for most procedures. Shortages of medicines are common across the country, and most public facilities and pharmacies lack even the most basic pharmaceuticals. Travelers should not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected.

The DRC remains confronted with intense political instability. Political and social groups regularly claim fraud and other irregularities during elections.

Corruption is endemic in the DRC, seriously hampering government and public service activities. A culture of impunity, widespread corruption, and nepotism, as well as political and military interference in the judiciary, have degraded the rule of law. The US, EU, and UN continue to enforce targeted sanctions against a range of government officials and military commanders for their alleged roles in human rights violations.