On January 28, 2025, protests in Kinshasa, DR Congo turned violent, resulting in damage to several embassies amid frustrations over international inaction regarding violence in eastern DR Congo. Demonstrators obstructed traffic and burned tires while local police urged calm, and renewed hostilities in Goma intensified the unrest. The protests call for greater international accountability and support during critical humanitarian crises.
On January 28, 2025, significant unrest erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), leading to widespread protests against the international community’s perceived failure to address ongoing violence in eastern DRC. Many embassies were damaged, looted, and set ablaze, including the French and Ugandan embassies, as demonstrators expressed their frustrations with the situation. Activists took to the city’s main roads, obstructing traffic, igniting tires, and vocally condemning various governments, particularly targeting Western embassies and the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Amid escalating protests, police urged demonstrators to maintain composure and disperse, threatening severe consequences for those engaging in violence. These protests were a response to renewed hostilities in Goma, where M23 rebels resumed attacks on the city, intensifying combat between the DRC army and insurgents near key locations, including the airport. Eyewitness accounts confirmed shelling sounds near the embassies of Rwanda and the U.S. consular services, highlighting the tense atmosphere unfolding in Kinshasa.
The protests were mobilized primarily by civil society groups aiming to draw attention to the dire conditions in Goma and advocate for international intervention. As the situation developed, it underscored the deep-seated issues of accountability and support from global powers in response to crises within the DRC. The protests led to an urgent call for a reassessment of international involvement and strategizing toward a humanitarian approach.
Local reports indicated that the ongoing violence in Goma, which has persisted for days, involved the resurgence of attacks by M23 rebels, exacerbating the need for immediate attention to the tumultuous security situation.
The protests in Kinshasa reflect widespread frustration among the local populace regarding the international community’s indifference to escalating violence in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, where M23 rebels have been active. This dissatisfaction has coalesced into actions aimed at local embassies, manifesting the desperation felt by citizens as their country faces turmoil with political, economic, and security dimensions at stake.
The recent protests in Kinshasa underscore the urgent need for active international engagement in the DRC’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. As demonstrators targeted embassies to voice their discontent, it reflects a larger call for accountability and support in addressing the violence perpetuated by groups such as M23. This situation necessitates a reevaluation of international responsibilities and responses to crises in conflict-ridden regions.
Original Source: english.news.cn
