Foreign missions issue travel warnings ahead of opposition march in DRC

The Belgian and French embassies in Kinshasa have jointly issued a security advisory to their citizens, urging them to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors on July 22, 2026. This precaution follows the announcement of a planned opposition march by the C64 coalition, as observed in local monitoring.

Recent months have seen a notable decline in security across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prompting Western governments to tighten travel advisories for the region.

Belgium highlights escalating risks

On July 16, 2026, Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally discouraged non-essential travel to the DRC, citing specific security incidents. These include a violent protest targeting the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa in January 2025 and drone attacks near Kisangani Airport in early 2026.

These warnings underscore the persistent political instability in the country, where tensions between the government and opposition frequently escalate during public gatherings. The C64 coalition, which unites multiple opposition movements, has organized several demonstrations that authorities have consistently opposed.

France and Canada join cautionary measures

France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its travel advisories on July 14, 2026, also advising against travel to the DRC. Paris cited both general insecurity and a recent Ebola outbreak as key concerns.

Canada has taken additional steps, implementing a 21-day quarantine for travelers arriving from the DRC due to the Ebola epidemic. This health measure, combined with security risks, further complicates travel to and from the country.

Diplomatic priorities in Kinshasa

For French and Belgian nationals in the DRC, these advisories reflect an intensified consular protection strategy. Belgium, as a former colonial power, maintains significant diplomatic and economic ties with the DRC, contributing to its heightened focus on citizen safety.

France also hosts a large expatriate community in Kinshasa, particularly in sectors like humanitarian aid, cooperation, and business. Both countries frequently coordinate security communications in high-risk areas of Central Africa.

While the duration of these restrictions remains unspecified, they are expected to be reassessed following the July 22 march and evaluated by on-site consular teams.