Protesters Set US and French Embassies on Fire in DR Congo

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, protesters in the Democratic Republic of Congo attacked and set fire to the United States embassy in the capital, Kinshasa. Armed individuals were seen on the roof of the embassy as thick black smoke poured from the building.

Protesters were heard chanting “death to imperialists” during the unrest.

The protest follows the announcement on Monday by the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group, that they had taken control of Goma, the largest city in North Kivu province in eastern DRC.

The takeover has led to the displacement of thousands of residents. Since the fighting escalated last week, at least 17 United Nations peacekeepers have been killed, including three South African peacekeepers who were killed on January 27 during an M23 attack on the Goma airport.

The M23 rebels are now fighting to seize the airport in an effort to complete their control of Goma. Protesters in Kinshasa also targeted the embassies of several countries they accuse of supporting Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 rebels. In addition to the U.S. embassy, the embassies of France, Belgium, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya were attacked.

Demonstrators accused these nations of complicity in the rebellion or of failing to act diplomatically to address the situation.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, condemned the attack on the U.S. embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling it “unacceptable.” He noted that the embassy building had briefly caught fire, but the blaze was quickly contained by authorities.

In response to the attack on Kenya’s embassy, Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, expressed deep concern in a statement.

“The violent attacks, looting, and destruction of property are a grave violation of international law,” he added.

Patrick Muyaya, the communications minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, addressed the nation on television, urging protesters to engage in peaceful demonstrations and to avoid any acts of violence against accredited consular buildings.