Chaos Erupts in Kinshasa as Protests and Violence Escalate Amid Rebel Attacks

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Protests erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on January 28, 2025, as demonstrators attacked several foreign embassies amidst growing violence linked to the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of the country. Crowds set fire to barricades and targeted the embassies of Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. The U.S. Embassy has temporarily ceased operations due to safety concerns and advised American citizens to shelter in place.

The unrest was triggered by the M23's advance into Goma, a city in the resource-rich eastern DRC, where humanitarian organizations report that hundreds of thousands are fleeing for their lives. Reports indicate that dead bodies are lying in the streets, hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and internet access has been cut off.

The DRC government has accused Rwandan troops of participating in the violence and called for action from the UN Security Council. In response, the Rwandan ambassador denied any involvement in the fighting, while the DRC's Foreign Minister called for accountability for the alleged war crimes.

Amidst this turmoil, an alarming situation has developed concerning a biomedical laboratory in Goma storing dangerous Ebola virus samples, which is in danger due to potential power outages and lack of security. The Red Cross has warned of catastrophic consequences if the lab is compromised.

In response to the increasing humanitarian crisis, the European Union announced an additional €60 million in aid to help displaced individuals in and around Goma.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is actively engaging with both DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in efforts to de-escalate the situation and protect civilians from the ongoing violence.

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