The tense situation in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, intensified on Monday as police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered near Western embassies and UN offices.
The protesters, incensed by the insecurity prevailing in eastern Congo, resorted to burning tyres and flags, notably those of the US and Belgium.
Their fire was directed at the West, which they accused of supporting Rwanda, alleged backers of the Tutsi-led M23 rebellion.
Despite heightened security measures following Saturday’s attacks on UN staff and vehicles, protesters congregated at the US and French embassies, as well as the offices of MONUSCO. Some engaged in acts of vandalism, attempting to damage surveillance cameras at the US embassy.
Chants of “Leave our country, we don’t want your hypocrisy” reverberated among the crowd. The fervor of the demonstrators was evident as one protester even removed the EU flag from a prominent hotel in central Kinshasa, According to a video on X
The unrest underscores the deep-seated tensions and suspicions prevalent in the region, posing significant challenges to efforts aimed at fostering stability and peace.
Fabrice Malumba, a motorcycle driver participating in the demonstration in front of the United States embassy, voiced a sentiment echoed by many: “The international community remains silent while Congolese are being killed; they finance Rwanda.”
Police fired tear gas and pursued protesters, escalating tensions in Kinshasa.
Meanwhile, Congo’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, convened with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Kinshasa on Sunday.
He assured them that security measures would be implemented to safeguard their diplomatic representations.
“As you can see, we are ensuring the security of the partner embassies of the Democratic Republic of Congo in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” stated General Blaise Mbula Kilimba Limba, Kinshasa police chief.
Decades of conflicts in eastern Congo, marked by numerous rival armed groups vying for control over land and resources, coupled with brutal attacks on civilians, have resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and the displacement of more than 7 million people.
Congo holds the distinction of being the world’s leading supplier of cobalt and Africa’s foremost producer of copper.