Kenya has strongly condemned the attack on its embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as protests over the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC escalated into violence. The assault, which included looting and destruction, also targeted Uganda’s embassy, with intelligence reports indicating that further attacks were being planned against the South African, U.S., and Belgian embassies.
In a statement issued by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, the Kenyan government expressed outrage over the violent acts and called for immediate intervention by the DRC authorities.
“It is deeply concerning that these attacks occurred in the presence of security forces without intervention. Two of our staff members were forced to flee for safety, highlighting a failure to uphold international obligations,” Mudavadi stated.
Kenya has since engaged the DRC’s Foreign Minister, who acknowledged the severity of the incident and assured that swift action would be taken, including compensation for damages sustained by the embassy. The Kenyan government has also demanded immediate measures to guarantee the safety of its diplomatic mission and personnel.
The attacks have raised serious concerns regarding the DRC government’s adherence to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates host nations to ensure the safety and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic staff. Under international law, any failure to protect diplomatic missions is considered a grave violation that could strain diplomatic ties between nations.
The embassy attacks come at a time of heightened tensions in Eastern DRC, where conflict continues to displace thousands of people. Protesters claim that regional countries, including Kenya and Uganda, have not done enough to resolve the crisis, despite Kenya’s leadership role in regional peace initiatives.
Nairobi has reiterated its unwavering commitment to diplomatic engagement, emphasizing that sustainable peace in Eastern DRC can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders. Kenya has been actively involved in peace efforts through initiatives like the Nairobi Process, which seeks to mediate the conflict between the DRC government and armed groups operating in the region.
As Kenya calls for accountability and enhanced security measures for its embassy, the international community will be closely monitoring the DRC’s response to these attacks. The incident underscores the urgent need for stability in the region and the protection of diplomatic institutions, which serve as crucial conduits for international cooperation and conflict resolution.
