DR Congo Crisis : Protesters Attack Embassies In Kinshasa

Several African countries have joined the French and US to condemn attacks on their diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo as M23 rebels continue their offensive in North East Kivu. Media reports say, on January 28, hundreds of protesters attacked the French and US embassies, a UN building and several African embassies including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda burning and looting properties. They accused the embassies of being allies of Rwanda whom they blame for supporting the M23 rebels. Video footage shared by The New Times showed Rwanda’s Embassy set on fire. It said no Rwandan diplomat was present at the time of the attack. Kenya strongly condemned the attacks and described it as a grave violation of international law.
The attack comes at a time when the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday during which they condemned Rwanda’s support to the M23 rebels, but failed to take sanctions. During the meeting, the UN warned of a worrying humanitarian situation. Its spokesperson Jens Laerke told a briefing on Tuesday that hospitals in Goma were overwhelmed. The World Food Program said, it has temporarily paused food assistance activities in the Goma area. On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a telephone conversation with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, and discussed developments in eastern Congo and the escalation in fighting that has resulted in the deaths of peacekeepers. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State, Marco Rubio “condemned the assault ...