On January 28, 2025, mass protests in Kinshasa led to the damage and looting of multiple embassies, as demonstrators voiced frustration over the international community’s inaction regarding violence in eastern DRC. Police urged calm in the face of rising tensions and ongoing conflicts in Goma, where M23 rebels have resumed attacks.
Mass protests erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), resulting in the destruction and looting of several embassies. Demonstrators criticized the international community for their inaction regarding the ongoing violence in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma. Reports indicate that properties belonging to the U.S., French, and Ugandan embassies experienced severe damage, with some buildings set ablaze. Traffic disruptions and violent confrontations marked the protests, as individuals voiced their frustrations against the government and global actors.
In response to the situation, Blaise Kilimbalimba, the police commander of Kinshasa, urged calm among demonstrators, stating that those inciting disorder would encounter significant repercussions. Meanwhile, violent confrontations resumed in Goma near the airport, with clashes reported between DRC forces and March 23 Movement (M23) rebels as tensions escalated in the region. The protests in Kinshasa reflect the urgent demand for international intervention to address the conflict and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, where violence remains rampant.
The protests in Kinshasa were sparked by the ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, a city that has been under renewed attack by the M23 rebel group. The demonstrators expressed their frustration over the international community’s perceived neglect of the violence that has plagued the DRC for years. This reflects a broader pattern of unrest in the country, where political instability and armed conflicts have created a humanitarian crisis, necessitating urgent global attention and intervention.
The situation in Kinshasa illustrates the escalating frustrations of the Congolese population regarding violence in eastern DRC and the perceived apathy of the international community. The destruction and looting of embassies signal a desperation for action to halt the ongoing violence. The protests underscore the need for renewed international efforts to stabilize the region and address the humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
Original Source: english.news.cn
