Protests in Kinshasa resulted in damage to several embassies as demonstrators expressed frustration with the international community’s inaction regarding ongoing violence in eastern DRC. Key embassies, including the French and Ugandan embassies, faced attacks, while the police urged for calm amidst escalating unrest linked to the conflict in Goma.
On January 28, 2025, protests erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), leading to significant unrest and damage to several embassies. Demonstrators expressed their frustration with the international community’s perceived inaction regarding the ongoing violence in eastern DRC. The situation escalated rapidly as protesters obstructed traffic, burned tires, and gathered outside multiple embassies, including those of the United States and France.
Protesters targeted the French embassy, where they set part of its exterior ablaze, and looted the nearby Ugandan embassy. Reports from Xinhua indicated that sounds of explosions were heard near the Rwandan embassy and the U.S. consulate. Blaise Kilimbalimba, the police commander in Kinshasa, urged demonstrators to exercise restraint and withdraw, threatening serious repercussions for those inciting violence.
The ongoing conflict in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, has been fueled by attacks from March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, resulting in resumed hostilities following a brief lull. Local sources reported that fierce clashes between the DRC army and these rebels erupted near the airport, a pivotal location previously under M23 control.
The protests in Kinshasa are rooted in the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, where violence has intensified due to rebel attacks. As international response to the crisis has been perceived as insufficient, civil society groups in Kinshasa mobilized to draw attention to the dire situation. The resultant demonstrations reflect a growing frustration with both local and international authorities over their inability to protect civilians and restore peace in the region.
In conclusion, the upheaval witnessed in Kinshasa reflects a critical moment of frustration among the population regarding the violence plaguing the eastern DRC. The actions taken by protesters underscore the urgent demand for international involvement and effective responses to the ongoing conflict. As violence continues to destabilize the region, the call for accountability and action becomes increasingly imperative.
Original Source: english.news.cn
