KINSHASA, Congo - The U.S. Embassy told Americans in Congo to stay home and plan to leave the country as protests spread in the capital.
Tuesday's alert came after mobs attacked foreign embassies in Kinshasa. Rioters looted and burned parts of the French, Kenyan, and Uganda missions.
The embassy said, "Violence has increased across Kinshasa. " It closed its doors and asked U.S. citizens to seek shelter before taking commercial flights out.
The unrest began after M23 rebels seized the eastern city of Goma. Congo blames Rwanda for backing the rebels, but Rwanda denies this.
The roads to Kinshasa's main airport remain open, but protests could block access. The embassy asked Americans to update their travel papers and pack emergency bags.
Uganda Airlines stopped flights to Kinshasa on Monday because of safety fears. The United Nations reports over 400,000 people fled their homes since early 2025.
The embassy provided emergency phone numbers for Americans needing urgent help and urged them to board commercial planes when they could safely reach the airport.
Protests hit Kinshasa as people showed anger at foreign countries and their government's response to the fighting. The violence forced many diplomatic offices to close.
The crisis deepened after M23 rebels took control of towns near Goma before capturing the key eastern city. This sparked fresh tension between Congo and Rwanda.
Tuesday's alert came after mobs attacked foreign embassies in Kinshasa. Rioters looted and burned parts of the French, Kenyan, and Uganda missions.
The embassy said, "Violence has increased across Kinshasa. " It closed its doors and asked U.S. citizens to seek shelter before taking commercial flights out.
The unrest began after M23 rebels seized the eastern city of Goma. Congo blames Rwanda for backing the rebels, but Rwanda denies this.
The roads to Kinshasa's main airport remain open, but protests could block access. The embassy asked Americans to update their travel papers and pack emergency bags.
Uganda Airlines stopped flights to Kinshasa on Monday because of safety fears. The United Nations reports over 400,000 people fled their homes since early 2025.
The embassy provided emergency phone numbers for Americans needing urgent help and urged them to board commercial planes when they could safely reach the airport.
Protests hit Kinshasa as people showed anger at foreign countries and their government's response to the fighting. The violence forced many diplomatic offices to close.
The crisis deepened after M23 rebels took control of towns near Goma before capturing the key eastern city. This sparked fresh tension between Congo and Rwanda.
