US and foreign embassies attacked in DR Congo

Protesters attacked several embassies in the capital Kinshasa of the Democratic Republic of Congo, diplomatic sources said on January 28.

Protesters attacked many foreign embassies in the capital Kinshasa. (Source: Timelives)

The embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium and the United States were all targeted, with smoke billowing from the French embassy building, AFP reported.

Earlier in the day, police in the Democratic Republic of Congo fired tear gas at protesters in the capital Kinshasa who attacked foreign diplomatic buildings, reportedly due to anger over the escalating and unresolved conflict in the east of the country.

Previously, on January 25, the United Nations issued a press release confirming that it had decided to temporarily evacuate non-essential staff from the city of Goma - the capital of North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - due to the deteriorating security situation.

The decision concerns administrative staff and those who can carry out their duties remotely, the statement said. The UN said the evacuation will not affect its commitment to providing humanitarian aid and protecting civilians in North Kivu.

The decision by the United Nations comes amid escalating hostilities and advances by the M23 jihadist movement - a militia backed by the Rwandan army - which recently took control of Sake, a town considered the last line of defense for government forces on the road to Goma.

Since the beginning of this year, more than 400,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in eastern DR Congo due to escalating clashes between the army and armed groups.

Also on January 25, the Ministry of Defense of the Democratic Republic of Congo issued a statement confirming that nine South African peacekeepers were killed in clashes with M23 rebels, including two members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

“In the course of the brave resistance against M23 rebels, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) lost nine members as of 24 January after two days of fierce clashes,” the statement said.

The South African soldiers killed included seven Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers and two MONUSCO members. The number of injured is still being confirmed.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-quan-my-va-nhieu-nuoc-bi-tan-cong-tai-chdc-congo-302568.html