Armed protesters set fire to the US and French embassies in Kinshasa on Tuesday, accusing the United States of supporting the M23 rebel group that recently claimed to have seized Goma, a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Demonstrators were seen looting and surrounding the embassies while chanting anti-imperialist slogans, according to social media footage. The French embassy also came under attack, with reports of widespread fires and vandalism.
The unrest follows Monday’s announcement by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that they had captured Goma, a city of two million people and a hub for the DRC’s vast mineral wealth. The rebel advance has displaced thousands, forcing families to flee into Rwanda or seek refuge in safer areas of the North Kivu province.
M23, which briefly occupied Goma in 2012, resurfaced in 2021, with increasing support from Rwanda, according to Congolese authorities and UN experts. Rwanda denies the allegations.
The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of “frontal aggression” and severing diplomatic ties. Despite a ceasefire agreement, fighting has escalated, leaving the region on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations reported that more than six million people are displaced across the DRC, with North Kivu bearing the brunt of the violence. UN peacekeepers, known as Monusco, have faced attacks, with 13 personnel killed in the past week.
In response to the unrest, the UN Security Council condemned M23’s actions and called for an immediate reversal of their advances. “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected,” the council stated.
As tensions rise, Congolese officials vowed not to surrender any territory to the rebels. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya urged citizens to support military efforts, declaring, “No centimetre will be given up!”
The situation in Goma remains volatile, with reports of ongoing gunfire and confusion over who controls key areas. The DRC’s mineral-rich regions continue to be a flashpoint for armed groups seeking control, further destabilizing the country and posing significant challenges to peace and security in the region.
