Protesters Attack Embassies Amid Violence in DRC's Kinshasa

Protests erupted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as demonstrators targeted multiple embassies, including those of France, the United States, and Rwanda, in response to the escalating violence from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern DRC. The attacks, which resulted in damage and fires at several diplomatic missions, were fueled by public outrage over perceived international inaction regarding the conflict, particularly following the M23's reported capture of Goma. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the embassy attack as 'inadmissible,' while police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds. The situation in Goma remains dire, with reports of heavy fighting, civilian casualties, and overwhelmed hospitals. Local authorities urged protesters to refrain from violence, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations. This unrest follows a pattern of previous protests in Kinshasa against Western governments over their alleged complicity in the conflict.