Protesters Torch U.S. Embassy in Congo Amid Escalating Tensions

Violent protests erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday as demonstrators stormed and set fire to the United States embassy building in the capital. Armed men were spotted on the roof while thick black smoke engulfed the facility, marking a dramatic escalation in the country’s unrest.

Chanting “Death to imperialists,” the protesters targeted diplomatic missions, venting their anger over alleged foreign interference in the conflict gripping eastern Congo.

The unrest comes just a day after the March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group, claimed to have seized control of Goma, the largest city in North Kivu province. The offensive has forced thousands of civilians to flee, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Fierce clashes between M23 rebels and security forces continued on Tuesday, with heavy fighting reported near Goma’s airport as insurgents pushed to solidify their control. The conflict has also exacted a deadly toll on international peacekeepers—at least 17 United Nations personnel have been killed since last week, including three South African troops who died in Monday’s attack on the airport.

In addition to the U.S. embassy, protesters attacked the diplomatic missions of France, Belgium, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya—countries they accuse of either supporting M23 or failing to take action against the rebels. Demonstrators set fires, looted buildings, and burned tyres in a show of defiance, prompting police to respond with tear gas to disperse the crowds.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the violence, calling the attack on France’s embassy “unacceptable.” He confirmed that while the building briefly caught fire, authorities swiftly contained the flames.

Kenya also voiced its alarm over the unrest. Musalia Mudavadi, the country’s cabinet secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, described the attacks as a “grave violation of international law” and called for the protection of diplomatic personnel and property.

Amid growing tensions, Patrick Muyaya, the DRC’s communications minister, urged citizens to protest peacefully and avoid targeting foreign embassies. He later assured the public that authorities had regained control of the situation.

The latest developments underscore the worsening crisis in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels—long accused of receiving backing from Rwanda—have escalated their military campaign despite international calls for a ceasefire.