U.S. Embassy Brazzaville, Congo
A recent anonymous posting on a Jihadist website encourages attacks against American and other international schools in the Middle East, including western teachers employed at these schools. That message referenced schools in the localities of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Maadi (Egypt) as examples, and these two cities as locations with high concentrations of potential targets. The U.S. Embassy is unaware of any specific, credible threat against any American school or individual in the Republic of the Congo. Nonetheless, the Embassy is working with local schools identified with the United States to review their security posture. U.S. citizens residing in or visiting the Republic of the Congo should remain vigilant regarding their personal security and stay alert to local security developments.
It is always advisable to keep your security and situational awareness levels high. Please follow these good personal security practices:
Avoid crowds or large gatherings when traveling in public;
Know where you are going and have a plan of what to do in the event you encounter demonstrations or violence;
Identify safe areas (for example police stations, hospitals, government buildings) in your area and how to get to them quickly;
Tell co-workers or neighbors where you are going and when you intend to return;
Minimize your profile while in public;
Always carry a cell phone and make sure you have emergency numbers pre-programmed into your phone such as the Embassy phone number: 06-612-2000.
Be prepared to postpone or cancel activities for personal safety concerns;
Report concerns you may have to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
All U.S. citizens in the Republic of Congo are urged to register online at the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within the Congo and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.
You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the website of the U.S. Embassy in The Republic of the Congo. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.
If you don’t have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy is located on Boulevard Denis Sassou Nguesso across from the Blanche Gomez Maternity Hospital. The Consular Section is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. The Consular section can be reached via e-mail atBrazzavilleACS@state.gov, and our daytime telephone number is (+242) 06 612-2000. For after-hours emergencies, call (+242) 06 612-2010.
