By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KINSHASA (Worthy News) – The European Union and world leaders expressed outrage Tuesday after rioters stormed embassies and started fires in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Missions belonging to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and the United Nations were all assaulted, European diplomats said.
The attacks were part of an eruption of protests over a Rwandan-backed rebel offensive in the east, prompting hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.
Angry demonstrators said they targeted Western and African countries “complicit” in Kigali’s support of M23 rebels, who overran the eastern provincial capital Goma.
Several embassy gates were set on fire, according to witnesses.
Reporters observed that men chipped at letters in cement at the French compound, some people scaled the wall, and a tireburned from railings.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the attack on France’s embassy in the capital, Kinshasa, saying: “These attacks are unacceptable. Everything is being done to ensure our personnel’s and citizens’ safety.”
BLAZE UNDER CONTROL
Barrot acknowledged that the French embassy in Kinshasa was attacked and briefly caught fire but added that the blaze had been controlled.
A spokesman for the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, said in Brussels that the 27-nation bloc demands the protection of diplomatic missions “in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign said the Dutch embassy in Kinshasa was among others targeted by “a violent protest“ on Tuesday.
“Local security forces are now on site to protect the building, and the situation appears to be stabilizing,” it said.
Yet Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp described the reports from Kinshasa as alarming. “Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety of our colleagues in this frightening situation. It’s terrible that they have to experience this,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
His ministry urged Dutch nationals in Kinshasa to remain indoors due to the violent protests, noting that “foreigners are among the targets.”
The ministry also.said it is ready to assist and is closely monitoring the situation.
TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH
Congo’s Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya said the situation was brought under control, but tensions remained high.
“All of this is because of Rwanda. What Rwanda is doing is in complicity with France, Belgium, the United States, and others,” one protester, Joseph Ngoy, told reporters.
However, when speaking on national TV, Muyaya urged protesters to stop their attacks.
“We have every right… to express our anger, but let’s do it peacefully. Let’s not attack the consular infrastructures of countries accredited in Congo,” he said.
The riots underscored broader tensions in the African nation. Since the start of the year, fighting between the Congolese army and M23 rebel forces has intensified in eastern DRC.
Western governments have urged their citizens to avoid the region, citing security concerns.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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