Congo takes raft of measures to protect tourism against terrorism

Nahla Abdelmonem

The tourism sector is most vulnerable to effects from terrorism in all countries.

This is most manifest in central Africa where the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has appeared and declared the founding of its own province.

The emergence of this terrorist organization in the region threatens the tourism sector as well as the income of a large number of locals who depend on this sector for living.

The Democratic Republic of Congo works hard to avoid the effects terrorism may have on this vital source of income for its people. It does this through a package of measures, including a series of legislation.

The parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo approved on April 10 a new bill into law to organize the local tourism sector.

The new law freezes funds deemed to be used in bankrolling terrorist activities in the country.

The country’s tourism and environment minister said the new law aims to protect the tourism sector in the light of a comprehensive upgrade plan for raising the GDP of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She added that the law imposes new restrictions on tourism workers and investors to prevent funding for terrorist activities.

It also aims to protect the tourism sector against attacks, the minister said.

She said the government of her country considers terrorism to be the largest threat to sources of national income.

The minister added that this is why the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is committed to taking measures to prevent financing to terrorist activities and terrorist groups.