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2025 Kinshasa riots

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2025 Kinshasa riots
Date28 January 2025 – ongoing
Location
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Caused by
  • March 23 Movement's (M23) advances in Goma
  • Rwandan involvement in M23 offensives
  • Alleged international community complicity and involvement in the offensives
MethodsDemonstrations, vandalism, arson, looting
StatusOngoing

The 2025 Kinshasa riots is a series of violent demonstrations that occurred on January 28, 2025 in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Multiple foreign diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the United States, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda, became targets of civil unrest as protesters expressed their opposition to perceived international inaction regarding M23 rebel advances in eastern DRC and Goma.

Background

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Main articles: M23 offensive (2022–present), Battle of Goma (2025), and Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions (2022–present)

Beginning in 2022, tensions heightened between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, marking a significant breakdown in relations between the two countries. Amid this, Rwandan forces have crossed into the DRC multiple times, usually fighting alongside Congolese rebels.

The crisis is related to an ongoing offensive that began in March 2022 by the March 23 Movement (M23), which the DRC, United Nations, United States, and other Western countries accuse Rwanda of not only supporting but actively fighting for.[1][2][3] Rwanda and M23[4] have also accused the DRC of working together with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic Hutu paramilitary group that took part in the Rwandan Genocide.[5] Both the Congo and Rwanda deny they support the FDLR and M23, respectively,[1][6] contrary to research and reports that confirm both sides' allegations.[7][8][9]

The MONUSCO peacekeeping mission has maintained that it is not involved in the conflict apart from its role in defending the region from militants,[10] but has been accused by Rwanda of taking sides due to its cooperation with the Congolese armed forces.[11] Meanwhile, the Congolese government has asked MONUSCO peacekeepers to leave the DRC due to a "failure to protect civilians from armed groups."[12]

There were two efforts at peace negotiations organized between the DRC and Rwanda: one hosted by Kenya in 2022, which failed, and another hosted by Angola in 2024, the latter leading to a ceasefire agreement in August 2024.[13] Fighting between Congolese forces and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels resumed in October 2024 after having slowed down, and intensified towards the end of the year. Planned negotiations between Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi in December were cancelled over disagreements about preconditions.[14]

During January 2025, the rebels carried out an offensive on Goma, the capital of the DRC's North Kivu province, displacing over 400,000 people and causing the DRC to cut off its diplomatic ties with Rwanda. The Congolese government called Rwandan military support for the rebels a "declaration of war."[15][16][17][18]

Protests and riots

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The advancement of M23 forces into Goma, the capital of North Kivu and a major regional hub with a population of two million, sparked intense public anger in Kinshasa, particularly directed at nations perceived as failing to intervene in the conflict. Protests conducted on highlighted growing tensions over the international community's response to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, with demonstrators specifically calling for increased pressure on Rwanda regarding its alleged support of the M23 rebels.[19] Anger was expressed towards European and neighboring African nations' perceived hypocrisy in demanding peace while continuing to diplomatically support Rwanda, with several protesters calling them complicit in the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis.[20]

During the demonstrations, protesters targeted multiple diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa. The most significant damage occurred at the embassies of France, Rwanda, and Belgium, where demonstrators engaged in acts of vandalism and arson, setting fires to portions of the diplomatic compounds. The Kenyan and Ugandan diplomatic missions were also targeted during the unrest.[19][20] Protesters burned tires in the streets and engaged in direct confrontations with security forces.[21] In a security alert, the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported that large crowds were throwing rocks, attacking vehicles, setting up roadblocks, and setting small fires amid the unrest.[22]

In addition, local markets and supermarkets were looted across the city.[20]

Response

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Law enforcement responded to the situation by deploying tear gas and firing warning shots to disperse the crowds.[19] The DRC's Minister of Communications Patrick Muyaya Katembwe addressed the situation on national television, calling for peaceful demonstrations and urging protesters to respect diplomatic infrastructure.[21]

The US Embassy issued guidance to its citizens, recommending they shelter in place before seeking safe departure from the country while commercial travel options remained available. The embassy specifically warned about potential roadblocks and protests affecting routes to airports.[20][22]

Reactions

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The European Union issued a formal condemnation of the embassy attacks, with a spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas emphasizing the necessity of protecting diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Foreign Minister of France Jean-Noël Barrot specifically addressed the attack on France's embassy, declaring the actions "unacceptable" and assuring that measures were being implemented to protect diplomatic personnel and citizens.[20][23]

Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi issued a statement expressing deep concern over the attacks on their embassy offices and personnel, characterizing the incidents as grave violations of international law.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Congo says Rwandan forces supported latest rebel attacks as thousands flee". Reuters. 2022-06-13. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  2. ^ "Rwanda backing M23 rebels in DRC: UN experts". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  3. ^ "East Africa leaders extend regional troop mandate in DR Congo". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  4. ^ "M23 Rebels Share Pictures of FDLR's Targeted Killings of Tutsis". ChimpReports. 2022-11-26. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  5. ^ "Congo accuses Rwanda of sending disguised troops across border". Reuters. 2022-06-09. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  6. ^ "DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of backing rebels". France 24. 2022-06-05. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  7. ^ Etahoben, Chief Bisong (2022-11-07). "Rwandan Soldier Surrenders To UN In DR Congo". HumAngle Media. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  8. ^ "DRC army backed rebel groups that abused civilians, says rights group". RFI. 2022-10-20. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  9. ^ Bahati, Moise M. (2022-11-24). "Rwanda: New Footage Suggests FDLR Fighting Alongside DR Congo Army". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  10. ^ Anna, Cara (2022-06-16). "EXPLAINER: Why Rwanda and Congo are sliding toward war again". National Post. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  11. ^ "M23 rebels seize key DRC town, Congolese military blames Rwanda". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  12. ^ "All UN peacekeepers to leave DR Congo by end of 2024". Al Jazeera. 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  13. ^ Cascais, Antonio (29 January 2025). "DR Congo: 'Diplomacy has failed'". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  14. ^ "DR Congo, Rwanda peace talks canceled". Voice of America. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  15. ^ Bos, Jean-Michel (26 January 2025). "War in the DR Congo: M23 follow the trail of raw materials". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  16. ^ Kabumba, Justin (22 January 2025). "A rebel group is advancing on eastern Congo's largest city and over 100,000 people have fled". Associated Press. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  17. ^ "DR Congo updates: UN chief urges Rwanda to pull back troops". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  18. ^ Cursino, Malu (27 January 2025). "Rebels say they have taken key DR Congo city". BBC. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Protesters attack foreign embassies in DR Congo over M23 rebel advance". euronews. 2025-01-28. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  20. ^ a b c d e "DR Congo: EU, France condemn attacks on embassies". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  21. ^ a b c "Protesters attack French, US, Rwandan embassies in DRC". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  22. ^ a b "Security Alert: Protests Occurring at U.S. Embassy Installations on January 28, 2025, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo". U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 2025-01-28. Retrieved 2025-01-28.
  23. ^ "French FM condemns 'unacceptable' attack on embassy in DR Congo". France 24. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
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