KINSHASA, DRC – Rioters stormed embassies and started fires in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa on Tuesday, drawing tear gas from police, in an eruption of protests over a Rwandan-backed rebel offensive in the east.

The demonstrators targeted Western and African countries they accuse of complicity in Kigali’s support of M23 rebels, who have overrun the eastern provincial capital Goma.

Missions belonging to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and the United Nations were all assaulted, European diplomats told Reuters.

Several embassy gates were set on fire.

At the French compound, men chipped at letters in cement, some people scaled the wall, and a tyre burned from railings.

“All of this is because of Rwanda. What Rwanda is doing is in complicity with France, Belgium, the United States and others,” one protester Joseph Ngoy told Reuters.

“The people of Congo are tired. How many times should we die?” he added, referring to the cycle of conflicts.

Congo accuses Rwanda of aiding the M23 rebels and sending soldiers to join them, but Kigali says Kinshasa has scuppered peace efforts and is failing to stop eastern militia from threatening its security.

A Reuters reporter in Kinshasa saw the Ugandan embassy being ransacked.

“Chairs, desks, tables have been looted. The curtains have also been pulled out,” said Okello Oryem, Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs.

“People are living under fear because there are marauding youths who are going from place to place burning embassies,” he added in comments on NTV Uganda’s X social media platform.

Belgian and French officials confirmed that fires were started at their compounds. Belgian foreign ministry spokesperson David Jordens said the gate was set on fire but quickly brought back under control, after which extra security was requested from Congolese authorities.

Police with tear gas pushed demonstrators back in places. But security personnel did not stop protesters who attacked the Kenyan embassy, one witness said.

“The people looted and then left. It is almost as if they have been given instructions to do it and then leave quickly,” the witness said.

Congo’s Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya urged protesters to stop and later said the situation had been brought under control. – Reuters