DRC: Indian national released in Kinshasa July 8

Event

An Indian national, kidnapping victim, held since June 20, was freed on Saturday, July 8, in Kinshasa. The man, a travel agency employee, had been abducted near his workplace in the Gombe district of the capital. The kidnappers had reportedly demanded USD 2 million in ransom for the victim’s release, but reports indicate that the ransom was not paid. Security forces claimed to have arrested one of the four assailants behind the kidnapping.

Context

Although rare in the capital, kidnappings of both Congolese and foreign nationals are common in the eastern regions of the DRC.

Advice

Individuals present in Kinshasa are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid discussing details concerning their personal lives or activities with unknown persons or on social media, and, whenever possible, to vary their daily routines to minimize the risk of kidnapping.

Due to the risk of abduction and other security concerns, many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu (particularly outside the cities of Goma and Bukavu), as well as the northeast portion of Eastern province and the northern part of Katanga due to the presence of armed groups. Certain governments also advise against nonessential travel to the rest of the country.