On Tuesday, demonstrators in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), launched attacks on several foreign embassies in protest against the M23 rebel group’s offensive in the eastern region. Among the embassies targeted were those of France, Belgium, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and the United States. The protest led to a brief fire at the French embassy, though it was quickly extinguished.
The protests were fueled by accusations that international actors have failed to address the ongoing conflict. Some protesters accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim Rwanda has consistently denied. The violence sparked diplomatic outrage, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot calling the embassy attack “unacceptable” and Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi condemning the violence as a violation of international law.
Also Read: Fire Breaks Out on Air Busan Plane, 176 Passengers Safely Evacuated
Meanwhile, Congolese Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya urged the protesters to demonstrate peacefully and respect consular infrastructure, announcing that police had managed to restore order after using tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The M23 rebel group, which has been active since 2012, claimed to have taken control of Goma, a critical city in North Kivu province. With fighting intensifying, at least 17 UN peacekeepers, including three South Africans, have been killed. Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, and many residents are unable to access medical care amid the violence.
