Tension in Goma as protesters attack embassies

Young Congolese boys, who arrived as refugees fleeing ongoing clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, wash in a puddle of rainwater at the Rugerero transit camp in Gisenyi on January 28, 2025. [AFP]

Gunshots rang out on Tuesday through parts of the besieged DR Congo city of Goma, where Congolese soldiers have clashed with militia fighters backed by Rwandan troops, while furious protesters attacked embassies in the capital Kinshasa.

The main city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has become a battleground since fighters from the Tutsi-led M23 armed group and Rwandan forces entered central Goma on Sunday night after a weeks-long advance through the region.

The lightning offensive marks a major escalation in the vast central African country's mineral-rich east, which has been plagued by fighting between armed groups backed by regional rivals since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

In Kinshasa, protesters criticising international inaction attacked the embassies of Rwanda, France, Belgium and the United States.

Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing'Oei, condemned on X the attacks on Kenyan, Ugandan, and South African embassies by "marauding protesters voicing their discontent." The US Embassy in Kinshasa has advised citizens to "shelter in place and avoid movements".

Attack condemned

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the "unacceptable" attack, saying a fire in the French embassy building was now under control.

With tensions rising, the UN Security Council was scheduled to meet later on Tuesday.

In Goma, gunshots could still be heard on Tuesday although the intensity of the fighting appeared to have decreased.

The city of one million, which was already home to an estimated 700,000 internally displaced people, sits on the shores of Lake Kivu on the border with Rwanda.

Dozens of M23 fighters were seen marching through Goma's main streets, some wearing bulletproof vests and carrying Congolese weapons.

It was not clear which parts of Goma were under the control of Congolese forces or the Rwandan-backed M23, which claimed it had taken the city on Sunday night.

At least 17 people have been killed and 367 wounded during two days of fighting, according to reports from overwhelmed hospitals.

Diplomacy push

The United Nations said Tuesday that food assistance in and around Goma had been "paused" and voiced concern over food shortages.

"The next 24 hours will be critical, as people run low on supplies and need to find ways to survive," said World Food Programme's DRC spokeswoman Shelley Thakral.

The DRC has accused Rwanda of seeking to profit from the region's mineral resources, urging stronger UN action.

Rwanda denies the claims, stating its aim is to tackle the FDLR, a Hutu militia formed after the Rwandan genocide.

The African Union's Peace and Security Council was due to meet Tuesday.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who has not publicly commented since pro-Rwandan forces entered Goma, was set to address the nation later.

Kenya announced a crisis summit today with Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Additional reporting by Alex Kiarie