Kenya has strongly condemned the recent attacks on its embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by rioters protesting the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC.
The violent incidents, which included looting and destruction, also targeted Uganda’s Embassy, with reports indicating planned assaults on 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 attacks and called for immediate action.
“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 said.
In response to the incident, Kenya engaged the DRC’s Foreign Minister, who acknowledged the gravity of the attacks and assured swift action, including compensation for damages to the embassy.
The attacks have raised questions about the DRC’s adherence to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates the protection of diplomatic missions and personnel.
Kenya has demanded immediate measures to ensure the safety of its embassy and personnel and emphasized the need for accountability.
As tensions persist in the Eastern DRC, Nairobi reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and dialogue as the only sustainable solutions to the conflict, while urging all parties to respect diplomatic norms and international law.
By Beth Nyaga
