As rebel activity surges with alleged foreign backing, demonstrators in Kinshasa turn their frustration towards international allies, igniting widespread violence against embassies and associated facilities.
Protests Erupt in Kinshasa: Global Allies Targeted Amid Rising Tensions
Protests Erupt in Kinshasa: Global Allies Targeted Amid Rising Tensions
Protesters express outrage against foreign embassies in the DRC as violence escalates in the east.
As smoke billowed in the air, hundreds of demonstrators confronted various foreign embassies and a United Nations structure in Kinshasa on Tuesday. This escalation follows a surge in violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the March 23 Movement (M23), linked to Rwandan support, launched a daring offensive against the pivotal city of Goma.
The unrest in Kinshasa highlights the growing domestic dissatisfaction with foreign nations including the United States and France, perceived as complicit in allowing Rwanda to incite conflict. Eyewitness accounts report that protestors started fires and hurled stones at the U.S. Embassy, prompting a rapid response from local American officials who confirmed the situation, although no injuries were reported. Altogether, the security at a new embassy site was later restored.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the assault on the French Embassy where a fire broke out amid aggressive protests. "This is unacceptable," he remarked, clarifying that the flames were controlled without significant damage. Protesters infuriated by France's alleged betrayal were seen looting the building, leaving messages that indicted President Emmanuel Macron personally.
Additionally, the Ugandan Embassy faced similar ramifications, with reports of looting and arson, confirmed by footage later analyzed by media outlets. The upheaval extended to the Belgian Embassy and multiple United Nations offices, with a UN official labeling the disturbances as “total chaos,” reflecting a worrying trend in international relations amidst local strife.
The unrest in Kinshasa highlights the growing domestic dissatisfaction with foreign nations including the United States and France, perceived as complicit in allowing Rwanda to incite conflict. Eyewitness accounts report that protestors started fires and hurled stones at the U.S. Embassy, prompting a rapid response from local American officials who confirmed the situation, although no injuries were reported. Altogether, the security at a new embassy site was later restored.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the assault on the French Embassy where a fire broke out amid aggressive protests. "This is unacceptable," he remarked, clarifying that the flames were controlled without significant damage. Protesters infuriated by France's alleged betrayal were seen looting the building, leaving messages that indicted President Emmanuel Macron personally.
Additionally, the Ugandan Embassy faced similar ramifications, with reports of looting and arson, confirmed by footage later analyzed by media outlets. The upheaval extended to the Belgian Embassy and multiple United Nations offices, with a UN official labeling the disturbances as “total chaos,” reflecting a worrying trend in international relations amidst local strife.
