Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi will not attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, with reports linking his absence to US travel restrictions imposed in response to an Ebola outbreak.
The Congolese government confirmed Tshisekedi’s absence but did not publicly give a reason. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa will instead lead the country’s delegation to the 81st session of the General Assembly, according to the prime minister’s office.
Radio France Internationale, citing several sources, reported that Tshisekedi’s decision was linked to US public health restrictions affecting people who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The United States currently bars travelers who have been in DR Congo during the previous 21 days from boarding commercial flights bound for the country, including US citizens and nationals. Travelers must remain outside DR Congo for at least 21 days before entering the United States. The measures were introduced to reduce the risk of importing Ebola cases during the ongoing outbreak.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola, in DR Congo. The CDC has also imposed additional public health measures on travelers linked to Uganda and South Sudan, although the requirements differ from those applying to people arriving from DR Congo.
Suminwa is expected to represent Kinshasa during the UN high-level meetings from September 22 to 26 and hold bilateral meetings focusing on peace and security, development, investment and international cooperation.
The trip marks a rare absence by Tshisekedi from the annual UN gathering since he became president. Congolese authorities have not said whether the travel restrictions were the sole reason for his decision not to attend.
