DRC: Anger protests in Kinshasa against international inaction towards armed group violence
Scenes of anger and frustration erupted in the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as dozens of youths and taxi drivers expressed their discontent in front of the US embassy and vandalized foreign interests.
These protests were triggered as a sign of protest against what the demonstrators call the “passivity” of the international community in the face of violence by armed groups operating in eastern DRC, particularly the M23.
Tensions escalated as the protesters targeted several foreign establishments, leading to the preventive closure of French, American, and Belgian consular schools. The protests, which intensified over the previous weekend, resulted in violent clashes with diplomatic representations and the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO.
Congolese authorities were forced to intervene to disperse the protesters, using tear gas in front of the British embassy. However, tensions persisted, with further demonstrations along June 30 Boulevard, where a hotel displaying the flags of the European Union and Belgium became a target for protesters.
The violence of the protesters also manifested in looting and attacks on local businesses, leading to the closure of many shops due to fear of further violence. In front of the MONUSCO headquarters, tires were burned, and hostile slogans were chanted against the United Nations peacekeeping mission and certain embassies.
These protests reflect a deep sense of frustration and helplessness among the Congolese population, facing persistent violence and major security challenges in certain regions of the country. As calls for international action grow, these events underscore the urgency for the international community to redouble efforts to address the crisis in the DRC and the threat posed by armed groups to the stability and security of the region.
