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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic representation in the US:
Chief of mission: H.E. Faida MITIFU
Embassy: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20009
Telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691
FAX: [1] (202) 686-3631

Diplomatic representation from the US:
Chief of mission: Vacant
Embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
Mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
Telephone: 243-81-2255872
FAX: 243-81-3010561

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Congo

U.S. Embassy Web Site in Congo
Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the U.N


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The D.R.C.'s large size and strategic location in the center of Africa, as well as its vast mineral wealth, have made the country a key regional player since even before independence. The D.R.C.'s relations with its neighbors have often been driven by security concerns, leading to intricate, interlocking, and shifting alliances. The complexities and dangers of these relations were never clearer than in the 1997-2003 period described in the “From Dictatorship to Disintegration” section above. In addition, internal conflicts in Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda have at various times created bilateral and regional tensions.

Over the past 6 years, the D.R.C. Government has signed agreements with its neighbors to improve the security of the D.R.C. and the wider region. In October 2004, with significant U.S. involvement and facilitation, the D.R.C. joined with Rwanda and Uganda in signing a Great Lakes regional security agreement that established a “Tripartite Commission” to address issues peacefully rather than militarily. (Burundi joined a year later and the expanded agreement is now known as “Tripartite Plus.”) In September 2007, the D.R.C. and Uganda signed the so-called “Ngurdoto Agreement” committing to strong bilateral efforts to eliminate all illegal armed groups operating in and between the two countries. In November 2007, with significant assistance from the UN, United States, and European Union, the D.R.C. reached a similar agreement with Rwanda. Known as the Nairobi Communique, this accord was designed to lay the groundwork for D.R.C.-Rwandan cooperation to disarm, demobilize, reintegrate and/or repatriate all foreign armed groups operating in the D.R.C., particularly the ex-FAR/Interahamwe (later the Forces Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda, FDLR).

Following up on enhanced military cooperation with Rwanda and Uganda, the D.R.C. re-established full diplomatic relations with Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda in 2009. President Kabila held bilateral talks with Rwandan President Kagame in January 2009, August 2009, and September 2010. The 2009 meetings were the first heads-of-state meetings between the D.R.C. and Rwanda in over 10 years.

U.S. CONGOLESE RELATIONS
U.S. relations with the D.R.C. are very strong. The success of the D.R.C.’s presidential and parliamentary elections in 2006 were the culmination of both the Congolese people's efforts to choose their leaders through a peaceful, democratic process and international support for numerous domestic and international peace agreements. The United States has pursued an active diplomatic strategy in the region and has supported internal reconciliation and democratization in the D.R.C., facilitating the Nairobi Communique, Goma Accords, and the Tripartite Plus mechanism, all described above.

The United States is proud to have played a role in the peace process in the D.R.C., and continues to encourage Congolese peace, prosperity, democracy, and respect for human rights. The U.S. supports economic reform and transparency efforts and is a major international aid donor, providing more than $700 million in aid to the D.R.C. in 2008 through both bilateral and multilateral programs. The United States is also the largest donor to the United Nations stabilization mission in the D.R.C. (MONUSCO), contributing almost one-third of MONUSCO’s $1 billion annual budget.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the D.R.C. in August 2009, meeting with President Kabila and other senior officials, civil society representatives, and victims of the current conflicts. The Secretary reinforced the U.S. commitment to help the D.R.C. reduce sexual and gender-based violence and address corruption.

The D.R.C. appointed its current ambassador to the United States in 2000. The State Department has consistently issued cautionary travel information about Zaire/D.R.C. since 1977.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Vacant
Deputy Chief of Mission--Sam Brock

The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa (tel. 243-81-2255872; fax 243-81-3010561). Mailing address is American Embassy Kinshasa, Box 31550, APO AE 09828.


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for The Democratic Republic of the Congo check the U.S. State Department  Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (CDF) Congolese Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 243, City Code, Kinshasa 1+7D, Lubumbashi 2+7D, Bandundu 3+7D


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

TOBACCO.......100 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco

LIQUOR..........1 bottle

GIFTS.............Reasonable amount

CAMERAS......1 still / 1 movie

CURRENCY.....Must be declared on arrival

NOTE: An import licence is required for arms and ammunition. Radios, tape recorders and gifts are subject to duty.



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