Protests in Kinshasa have escalated, resulting in attacks on multiple African embassies, including those of Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. Violence erupted following an offensive by the M23 rebel group in Goma, prompting the U.S. embassy to suspend operations. Meanwhile, humanitarian crises deepen as hundreds of thousands flee conflict, with alarming reports of sexual assaults and infrastructure breakdowns. The EU has pledged additional humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of the displaced population.
(dpa) Protests have escalated in Kinshasa, leading to assaults on several African embassies, as reported by the Kenyan government and Congolese authorities. The embassies of Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda in the capital city have experienced attacks, as noted by Korir Sing’oei, the Kenyan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Embassy personnel have also been targeted during these confrontations. According to Congolese police officer Felix Mwisa, the Rwandan embassy was similarly attacked and looted.
On Tuesday, the embassies of the Netherlands, France, and Belgium also faced assaults, confirmed by their respective governments. In response to escalating violence, the U.S. embassy announced it would suspend operations until further notice, as stated by the State Department in Washington.
The unrest was ignited by a recent offensive from the M23 rebel group in the eastern city of Goma. Sing’oei condemned the embassy attacks as “a serious violation of international law,” emphasizing the need for strong disapproval from the international community.
Increased Danger for Residents
As the violence persists, humanitarian organizations report that hundreds of thousands of individuals in eastern Congo are fleeing for their safety. The ongoing gunfire and shelling, particularly from the advancing M23 militia, have left residents in a perilous situation. After days of intense conflict, the militia gained control of Goma, a city rich in resources and strategically located near Rwanda.
In addition to the residents of Goma, over 300,000 individuals from nearby displacement camps are also on the move, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) based in Geneva. Reports from the field indicate that cadavers are visible in the streets, and hospitals are overwhelmed with injured individuals, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Just prior to the airport’s closure over the weekend, medical supplies were airlifted into Goma.
There are alarming reports of numerous sexual assaults occurring amidst the chaos. Furthermore, the internet has become nonoperational, and essential services such as electricity and water supply are severely disrupted, according to OCHA.
Warehouses belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) have been ransacked. “This illustrates the desperation of the populace,” remarked Shelley Thakral, WFP spokesperson in Kinshasa. “The next 24 hours will be pivotal as resources dwindle, raising the urgent question of what individuals can find to sustain themselves.”
Threat to Ebola Virus Laboratory
The Red Cross has issued a dire warning regarding the potential “unimaginable consequences” if a biomedical laboratory in Goma is not safeguarded. This facility contains samples of the highly lethal Ebola virus, among other pathogens.
According to Patrick Youssef, Regional Director for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the National Institute for Biomedical Research’s laboratory is at risk of losing power. The facility is located near the ICRC office in Goma, and it is crucial to prevent any release of viruses from this laboratory.
EU Pledges Additional Humanitarian Support
The European Union has committed to providing an additional €60 million in humanitarian aid. In light of the recent turmoil in eastern Congo, the EU is prepared to enhance emergency assistance, particularly for the newly displaced populations in and around Goma, as stated by the responsible commission in Brussels.
The newly allocated funds aim to address the most pressing needs of those displaced and affected by the ongoing conflicts and health crises. This support will include provisions for shelter, clean water, food, and educational opportunities for children.