By Ebi Kesiena
Belgium has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following violent protests in Kinshasa, some of which targeted the Belgian embassy.
In a statement on Wednesday, Belgium’s Foreign Ministry cautioned that further demonstrations could arise and “quickly escalate into violence.”
The advisory urged Belgian nationals in the DRC to avoid protest sites and advised those planning to visit to “postpone their trip.”
Belgian citizens currently in Goma have been encouraged to leave “by their own means while they still can, and if they believe it can be done safely.” Similarly, those in Bukavu have been advised to “reassess whether their presence is necessary” and leave if possible.
The ministry assured that it is “closely monitoring developments on the ground in coordination with the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa.”
The warning comes after violent demonstrations erupted in Kinshasa on Tuesday, during which protesters targeted several embassies, including Belgium’s. A gate at the Belgian embassy was set on fire.
The unrest is linked to ongoing tensions between Congo and Rwanda. Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, a claim Rwanda denies. The M23 states it is fighting to defend the rights of minority Congolese Tutsis, who, they argue, face discrimination due to their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi community.
