DRC tensions: Belgium and France issue travel warnings ahead of opposition march

Belgium and France have jointly issued travel advisories for Kinshasa, urging their citizens to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors on July 22, 2026. The warning coincides with a planned opposition demonstration organized by the C64 coalition, a prominent alliance of opposition groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The heightened caution follows months of escalating security concerns in the country, prompting Western governments to tighten their travel recommendations for the region.

Brussels cites specific security threats in DRC

Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Ministry updated its travel advisory on July 16, 2026, strongly discouraging all non-essential travel to the DRC. Officials highlighted alarming incidents, including a violent protest targeting Belgium’s embassy in Kinshasa in January 2025 and drone strikes near Kisangani Airport in early 2026. These events underscore the persistent political instability gripping the nation, where public gatherings frequently spark tensions between authorities and opposition factions.

The C64 coalition, which unites multiple opposition movements, has a history of organizing protests that often face government crackdowns, further destabilizing the political landscape.

France and Canada join in raising alerts

France’s Foreign Ministry also revised its travel advisory on July 14, 2026, advising against travel to the DRC due to both heightened security risks and a recent resurgence of Ebola cases. The warning reflects growing concerns over public health alongside security threats.

Meanwhile, Canada has imposed a mandatory 21-day quarantine for travelers arriving from the DRC, citing the Ebola outbreak. This health measure adds another layer of complexity to international travel to and from the country, compounding existing security worries.

Diplomatic considerations behind the advisories

For Belgian and French expatriates in the DRC, these measures are part of a broader consular protection strategy. Belgium, as a former colonial power, maintains significant diplomatic and economic ties with the DRC, which heightens its vigilance over citizen safety. France, too, has a substantial presence in Kinshasa, particularly in sectors like humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and business.

Both countries regularly coordinate their security communications in high-risk zones across Central Africa. While the duration of these restrictions remains unspecified, authorities anticipate lifting them once the July 22 demonstration concludes and local consular teams reassess the situation on the ground.