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| Protesters clash with riot police in front of the French embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Tuesday | Photo: Reuters |
Mass protests have erupted in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Kinshasa, demanding immediate action in response to the ongoing M23 rebel attacks in the eastern part of the country. Protesters have targeted the embassies of the United States, France, Rwanda, and several other countries.
On Tuesday, protesters stormed the embassies of the US, France, Belgium, Kenya, and Rwanda in Kinshasa. French embassy footage showed flames and black smoke rising from the building during the unrest.
Protesters are accusing the international community of inaction regarding the ongoing conflict in DR Congo, particularly condemning countries that have alleged Rwanda's support for the rebel groups. However, Rwanda has denied these allegations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Baureau called the attack on the embassy “unacceptable” in a tweet. He confirmed that there was a fire at the embassy for a brief period, but it was later brought under control.
To disperse the crowd, police fired tear gas shells, and protesters responded by setting tires on fire in the streets and clashing with the police.
Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi expressed concern about the violent attack on embassies and personnel in Kinshasa, calling such acts of violence, looting, and destruction of property a severe violation of international law.
Speaking on state television, DR Congo’s Minister of Communications, Patrick Muyaya, urged protesters to express their views peacefully and avoid violence in diplomatic spaces. He assured the public that "the situation is under control."
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has separately spoken to the presidents of DR Congo and Rwanda, aiming to de-escalate the conflict. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that resolving the decades-long crisis in the eastern region of DR Congo would not be an overnight process.
The M23 rebel group claimed to have taken control of the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo on Monday, marking the largest city in the North Kivu province. Intense clashes in the region have already led to the deaths of at least 17 UN peacekeepers.
On Monday, three South African soldiers were killed in a rebel attack at Goma’s airport. The M23 forces fought for control of the airport on Tuesday to solidify their hold over the city.
Dujarric added that the situation in Goma remains tense.
Several armed groups, including M23, are active in DR Congo's eastern region, vying for control of strategically important mineral-rich areas. Both the UN and DR Congo, along with some other nations, accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim that Rwanda continues to deny.