China News Service, August 18. According to the WeChat public account of the Chinese Embassy in Congo (DRC), the current situation in Congo (DRC) is severe and complicated.
The eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Haut-Ule are facing extremely high risks of armed attacks and hostage kidnappings, and there are many vicious cases involving Chinese citizens and institutions.
Please speed up the evacuation of Chinese citizens in the above four high-risk provinces.
If Chinese citizens who are already in the local area have not yet reported, please report their personal information to the embassy as soon as possible (report link: https://www.wjx.cn/vj/hs1jEnv.aspx).
Those who refuse to report information and insist on going to or staying in the above four provinces will be personally responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom.
The security situation in the vicinity of Butembo, North Kivu Province has deteriorated rapidly. There have been many violent attacks against police and civilians, causing casualties. Chinese citizens there are advised to be vigilant and avoid risks.
Government forces in Rutshuru and Bunagana in North Kivu are still fighting fiercely against illegal armed forces.
Chinese citizens are advised not to go to the above fire areas.
Chinese citizens who are already there, please pay close attention to the changes in the security situation, and take timely risk avoidance and security measures.
Vicious security cases such as armed robbery involving Chinese companies and citizens in Kolwezi, Lubumbashi, Likasi and other places in southeastern Congo (DRC) are still high.
Please fully understand the severity and complexity of the current security situation, and resolutely put an end to paralyzing thoughts and flukes.
Pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen the awareness of risk prevention, increase security investment with the highest standards, and coordinate security assurance and production and operation.
Chinese-funded institutions located in areas where the security situation has deteriorated significantly, please take effective measures to avoid non-essential going out, reduce non-essential personnel, and carefully prepare emergency plans for adjusting production, operation and personnel arrangements in case of emergencies.
In case of emergency, please call the police and contact the embassy in time.
Congo (Kinshasa) Call: +243-818906284, +243-816770006, +243-827205000
Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (24 hours): +86-10-12308 or +86-10-59913991
Consular protection and assistance telephone of the embassy in Congo (Kinshasa): +243-851474669
Summary of recent important cases:
(1) In the early morning of the 11th, the Congolese Development Cooperative (CODECO) attacked a gold mining camp in Buwanga Town, Jugu District, Ituri Province, and kidnapped several Chinese citizens.
(2) On the evening of the 14th, unidentified armed men attacked a gold mining camp near Moku Town, Vaca District, Haut-Velai Province, resulting in the death of one Chinese citizen and the disappearance of two Chinese citizens.
(3) On the 12th, the "Islamic State" terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack on the Kakwangura Central Prison in Butembo, North Kivu Province on the 10th.
On the same day, the Butembo police were attacked again, 5 police officers were killed, 3 police jeeps were burnt down, and a small amount of light weapons were lost.
On the evening of the 13th, unexplained gunshots occurred again in the Butembo City Hall, the MINUSTAH Base, and Kakwangura Prison.
(4) On the 13th, the suspected "Allied Democratic Forces" (ADF) attacked Lumalisa village in Mambasa district of Ituri province, set fire to houses and kidnapped several villagers.
(5) On the 14th, the ADF launched an attack on the Malaya area about 120 kilometers south of Bunia, Ituri Province, and exchanged fire with the Congolese government forces. 10 militants were killed and 6 were captured.
(6) On the 14th, the Irish government announced the withdrawal of two officers of the United Nations peacekeeping force from Goma, North Kivu Province, due to concerns about the deterioration of the security situation in the east of the country.
(7) On the 15th, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that there are about 5.1 million displaced people in the east of Gangdong, mainly in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces.
Not only has the security situation on the ground shown no signs of easing recently, the upcoming general election may instead exacerbate tensions.
(8) On the 16th, CODECO attacked the Waya mining area in the Jugu district of Ituri province, killing at least 17 people.
(9) On the 16th, the anti-government armed "March 23 Movement" (M23) attacked three Congolese army positions in Rwanguba, Rangira and Muhibira in the Rutshuru area of North Kivu, killing at least three civilians and injuring two others.