Republic of the Congo - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution in the Republic of the Congo due to crime and civil unrest.

Reconsider travel to:

• The southern and western districts of the Pool Region due to civil unrest and armed conflict.

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, is common.

Political demonstrations can be unpredictable and violent.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville.  U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to the Pool Region because of ongoing violence.  They must also obtain special permission to travel to Pointe Noire’s beaches due to crime.

Read the Safety and Security section on the Country Information Page.

If you decide to travel to the Republic of the Congo:

• Avoid demonstrations.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location. 
• Visit the CDC Travelers Health Page for the Republic of the Congo.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for the Republic of the Congo.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

The Southern and Western Districts of the Pool Region

Military operations are ongoing and armed groupsare active in this region. Soldiers, police, and civilians have been killed and thousands of civilians displaced.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Pool Region as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to the area.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.