Belgium and France have jointly issued a security advisory for Kinshasa, urging their citizens to minimize travel and avoid venturing outdoors on July 22, 2026. This precaution follows an announced opposition rally by the C64 coalition, as tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to escalate.
The warning comes amid a broader deterioration in security across the DRC, prompting Western governments to tighten travel advisories for the country.
Belgium escalates travel restrictions
Belgium’s Foreign Ministry has officially discouraged all non-essential travel to the DRC in an update released on July 16, 2026. The ministry cited specific security incidents, including a violent protest targeting its embassy in Kinshasa in January 2025 and drone strikes near Kisangani Airport in early 2026.
These official concerns underscore the persistent political instability in the DRC, where clashes between authorities and opposition groups frequently erupt during public gatherings. The C64 coalition, a union of opposition movements, has repeatedly organized protests that authorities have deemed unlawful.
France and Canada join the cautionary chorus
France’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory on July 14, 2026, also advising against travel to the DRC. Paris highlighted both general insecurity and a recent Ebola outbreak as major concerns.
Canada has taken additional measures, imposing a temporary 21-day quarantine for travelers arriving from the DRC due to the Ebola epidemic. This health-related restriction further complicates travel to and from the country, compounding existing security worries.
Diplomatic priorities in Kinshasa
For French and Belgian nationals in the DRC, these advisories reflect a strengthened consular protection policy. Belgium, as a former colonial power, maintains significant diplomatic and economic ties with the DRC, which heightens its focus on citizen safety.
France also has a sizable expatriate community in Kinshasa, particularly in sectors such as cooperation, humanitarian aid, and business. Both countries regularly coordinate their security communications in high-risk regions of Central Africa.
The embassies have not specified the duration of these restrictions but indicated they would likely be reassessed after the July 22 demonstration and a consular assessment of the situation on the ground.
