Families of the United States government personnel stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been ordered to leave the country amid fears of escalating violence.
“The potential for civil unrest is high in parts of Kinshasa and other major cities,” the State Department said, referring to the country’s capital in a travel warning.
“As a result of the deteriorating security situation, family members of US government personnel have been ordered to leave the country beginning September 29. Most official US government travel to the DRC has been halted.”
It noted that violent clashes this month between security forces and opposition protesters over the electoral process had resulted in deaths and the destruction of property.
“Very poor transportation infrastructure throughout the country and poor security conditions make it difficult for the US Embassy to provide consular services anywhere outside of Kinshasa,” it added.
Dozens in the country’s capital Kinshasa were left dead following the protests by opposition as they demanded for resignation of President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001.
The State Department warned travellers that armed groups, bandits and some elements of the Congolese military “kill, rape, kidnap, pillage, steal vehicles, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians can be indiscriminately targeted.”
DRC’s government accused the United States earlier on Thursday of sowing “chaos” after Washington placed two of Kabila’s top allies on its sanctions blacklist.
The US Treasury on Wednesday said both the men were involved in violently putting down opposition to Kabila and undermining democratic forces in the country.
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