KINSHASA: MULTIPLE EMBASSIES ATTACKED

Videos have emerged showing multiple embassies being torched and vandalised by protesters in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, Kinshasa - including the Belgian, French and Rwandan missions. Tires were burned outside the US embassy, with the UN's headquarters also attacked.

People hit the streets after news that parts of Goma - the capital of North Kivu Province in eastern DRC - fell to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have klled, rped and terrorised civilians.

Despite overwhelming evidence detailing Rwanda's support for the M23 militia - which is intent on seizing control of mineral-rich regions of the country - Belgium, France, the UK, and the US continue to support Kigali. Western condemnation has largely been performative, with no real punishments.

Moreover, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) is widely seen as a failure, unable to adequately protect civilians. UN personnel in Congo have also been accused of abuse of power and s*xual exploitation.

The 30-year proxy war over minerals in Congo has resulted in approximately 6 million deaths and the displacement of over 7 million people.

Sources:

https://www.thetimes.com/world/africa/article/congo-the-fight-for-blood-minerals-found-in-every-mobile-ssm0phr80

https://apnews.com/article/congo-goma-m23-rebels-rwanda-3b4f2e66da0743dadc7bd5eae855d8f0

https://apnews.com/article/sexual-exploitation-congo-united-nations-peacekeepers-d8a767eb32da0da7be6ecc6af2cd11fb

https://apnews.com/article/congo-goma-m23-rebels-residents-abac3115088f0c7591c69d495a3769ae

https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violence-democratic-republic-congo

https://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/congo

https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/118/80/pdf/n2411880.pdf