World

Demonstrators attack foreign embassies in Congo’s capital

The attacks were in protest at the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into a major city in the country’s conflict-battered east

(Moses Sawasawa/AP)
(Moses Sawasawa/AP) (Moses Sawasawa/AP)
By Justin Kabumba and Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press

Dozens of demonstrators attacked several foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France and Belgium, in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday to protest at the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into a major city in the conflict-battered east of the country.

Police fired teargas at the protesters as they marched to the embassies in Kinshasa, either looting or setting fires to parts of the buildings.

Government troops deploy outside Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as M23 rebels close in (Moses Sawasawa/AP)
Government troops deploy outside Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as M23 rebels close in (Moses Sawasawa/AP) (Moses Sawasawa/AP)

The embassies of Kenya and Uganda were also attacked, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene.

The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region of Goma in the conflict, one of Africa’s largest.