As tensions escalate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the German Foreign Office has issued a warning to citizens planning to travel to several regions of the country. The warning, issued on Tuesday in Berlin, specifically targets the capital city of Kinshasa and provinces in the eastern part of the country.
German nationals in the South Kivu and North Kivu regions, which border Rwanda, are being urged to leave the area, according to the statement. The security situation in the east of the country has significantly deteriorated and is volatile, the Foreign Office said.
In connection with the conflict, violent demonstrations have been taking place in Kinshasa since Tuesday, with the security situation in the government quarter of Gombe having “clearly worsened”.
Over the past three years, there have been recurring escalations of fighting between the Congolese army and the armed group M23 in the border region with Rwanda and Uganda. Since January 2025, there have been increased armed clashes and territorial gains by the M23, which recently captured the city of Minova in South Kivu and the city of Sake in the province of North Kivu and now controls wide areas of the city.
Intensive fighting is also ongoing between the M23 and the Congolese army, FARDC, supported by the UN mission Monusco. Additionally, looting is reported to be taking place. The UN mission Monusco has been evacuating non-essential and some essential personnel from Goma since the weekend.