Published On: Tue, Jan 28th, 2025
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FDCO issues ‘do not travel warning’ for African nation Congo | World | News

Britons have been told not to travel to large areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo at all costs after an escalation in fighting in recent days.

Travel advice in relation to the war-torn African nation was updated by the Foreign Office, yesterday.

Currently guidance cites information about reports of fighting in the capital, Goma, with the rebel group M23 reported to have captured the city.

It adds: “FCDO continues to advise against all travel to North Kivu, including Goma and South Kivu, including Bukavu.”

The DRC is currently grappling with escalating conflict in its eastern regions, particularly involving M23. Named after a 2009 peace agreement, M23 resumed its insurgency in 2022, citing the government’s failure to integrate Tutsi individuals and protect them from Hutu militias like the FDLR.

In early 2025, M23 intensified its offensive, capturing significant territories, including the coltan-rich area of Rubaya, thereby securing substantial revenue streams. The strategic city of Goma, home to approximately two million people, has also fallen under rebel control, prompting mass evacuations and raising international concern.

The DRC accuses neighbouring Rwanda of supporting M23 by providing troops and heavy weaponry, allegations that Rwanda denies, asserting its actions are purely defensive.

The conflict has not only strained diplomatic relations, leading the DRC to sever ties with Rwanda, but has also exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displacing hundreds of thousands and resulting in significant casualties, including the death of North Kivu’s military governor, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami Nkuba.

In addition to the ongoing conflict, the DRC has faced recurrent Ebola virus outbreaks in recent years.

The last outbreak was declared over on September 27 2022, following a resurgence in the Butanuka health area of North Kivu province.

This outbreak involved a single confirmed case, with health authorities implementing swift measures to prevent further spread. Prior to this, the DRC experienced its twelfth Ebola outbreak between February and May 2021, also in North Kivu, resulting in 12 cases and six deaths.

The nation’s efforts to control these outbreaks have been challenged by the concurrent armed conflicts, which complicate healthcare delivery and disease surveillance.

Despite these adversities, the DRC, with support from international partners, has managed to contain recent outbreaks through rapid response strategies, including vaccination campaigns and public health interventions