Protests erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as demonstrators gathered near Western embassies and UN offices, expressing anger and frustration over perceived foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The protesters, who burned flags of the US and Belgium, accused the West of supporting neighboring Rwanda, which they allege is backing the Tutsi-led M23 rebellion.
The M23’s recent advances in eastern parts of the DRC have heightened tensions, exacerbating an already volatile situation in the region.
DR Congo has long grappled with numerous armed groups vying for control over land and resources, with over 120 such groups currently active.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of millions of people since the onset of the Congo genocide, with the country facing one of the most intense ‘genocides’.
In a tragic development, two South African soldiers were killed and three others seriously injured in eastern DRC while deployed to support efforts to address the escalating violence.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed the casualties, stating that the soldiers were targeted in the conflict, allegedly linked to a mineral concession deal.
The violence has led to a dire humanitarian situation, with more than one million people displaced since November alone, according to aid groups.
This adds to the staggering 6.9 million who were already displaced, underscoring the urgent need for immediate intervention to address the crisis and alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the conflict in the DRC.
, as demonstrators gathered near Western embassies and UN offices, expressing anger and frustration over perceived foreign interference in the country's internal affairs.){kind=link}