Protests in Kinshasa against foreign embassies highlighted the anger of demonstrators towards international inaction regarding the M23 rebel offensive. Rioters targeted embassies, looting and vandalizing properties amid calls for accountability. The unrest reflects deep frustrations over the ongoing violence in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, demanding an urgent response from global powers.
Protests erupted in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as demonstrators expressed outrage over the perceived inaction of the international community regarding the M23 rebel offensive. Rioters targeted embassies, creating chaos with vandalized properties and burning tires. They specifically protested against embassies of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, France, Belgium, and the United States while calling for greater action against the ongoing conflict in Goma.
On the day of the protests, hundreds of individuals demanded accountability as they converged in the upscale Gombe district, responding to a call to “Paralyse the City” from a youth group. Demonstrators accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing the M23 rebels, who recently advanced into Goma, taking control of significant areas, including the airport, amid violent confrontations.
Amidst the turmoil, demonstrators emphasized their frustrations, resorting to aggressive acts such as setting the French embassy’s perimeter wall ablaze and defacing it with graffiti. The protests also saw looting incidents, with furniture taken from the Ugandan embassy by individuals using motorcycles and taxis to transport their stolen goods.
The protests underscore the broader discontent with external nations perceived as complicit in the ongoing violence and rebel activities in eastern DRC. The demonstrators’ actions illustrate a desperate call for intervention and support in light of their challenging circumstances. The events unfolding in Kinshasa reflect the deep-seated frustrations within the DRC population regarding regional conflicts and the role of foreign influence.
The protests in Kinshasa are rooted in the historical tensions surrounding the M23 rebel offensive, which has seen significant escalations in violence and territorial control in the eastern region of the DRC, particularly in Goma. The M23 group, composed largely of former soldiers, claims to be defending the rights of ethnic Tutsis in the DRC while facing allegations of receiving support from neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda, further complicating regional dynamics. The ongoing instability has provoked dissatisfaction among the Congolese populace, culminating in protests directed at foreign embassies perceived to be indifferent to their plight.
In summary, the protests in Kinshasa highlight the severe frustrations of the Congolese people towards foreign involvement and the perceived inaction of international governments regarding the crisis instigated by the M23 rebels. The incidents of embassy vandalism and looting mark a significant escalation in public discontent, demanding urgent attention from global powers to address the escalating conflict in Goma.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
