UGANDA EMBASSY LOOTED, SET ABLAZE, OVER M23 LINKS

Footage out of Kinshasa shows Uganda’s embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) looted and partially set ablaze by protesters accusing Uganda of supporting the M23 rebel group after it reportedly captured the eastern city of Goma on 27 January. Protesters also targeted other embassies, including those of Belgium, France, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United States.

Uganda’s state minister for foreign affairs confirmed the damage, and local police were deployed to restore order and protect diplomats who had gone into hiding. Congo’s communications minister urged protesters to cease, adding that police had brought the situation under control.

Meanwhile, intense fighting continued near Goma International Airport between Congolese soldiers and M23 rebels. A June 2024 UN experts’ report said Uganda supports the militia by allowing supplies and recruits to pass through Ugandan territory and coordinating with M23 leaders in the Congolese town of Bunagana. It alleges Ugandan military intelligence officers have been providing logistics and transport for M23 leaders, including its military chief, Sultani Makenga, who has travelled to Uganda despite a travel ban. The report also claims Uganda is backing the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), seen as M23’s political arm, according to analysts at the BBC.

In 2022, the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest court, ruled that Uganda owes the DRC $325 million in reparations over violations of international law. Uganda occupied parts of eastern DRC and supported other armed groups during a conflict that raged from 1998 to 2003. The judgement broke down as $225 million for ‘loss of life and other damage to persons’ (including s*xual assaults), $40 million for damage to property and $60 million for damage to natural resources, including the plunder of gold, diamonds, timber and other goods.

Sources
Uganda embassy looted
https://www.independent.co.ug/ugandas-embassy-in-drc-attacked/

Uganda support for M23
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/9/uganda-backed-m23-in-drc-rwandas-de-facto-control-on-group-un-experts

ICJ orders reparations
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/9/un-court-orders-uganda-to-pay-325m-in-reparations-to-dr-congo

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c134kgdpd6do