Police in DR Congo use tear gas to scatter anti-Western protests in Kinshasa

Protests erupted in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as crowds gathered to express anger towards Western governments. The protesters accused these governments of failing to use their influence over Rwanda to stop the M23 rebel group's rebellion in eastern DRC. Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting the M23 rebels. Demonstrators burned the flags of the United States and Belgium, which was the former colonial power of DRC. The protests occurred outside various Western embassies, where anti-riot police were deployed to disperse the crowds. The protesters blamed Western countries for the looting of their country and demanded their immediate departure. Schools and shops owned by foreigners in Kinshasa's Gombe district remained shut due to safety concerns. Videos circulated on social media showing the removal of French and European Union flags from a Belgian-owned hotel, as protesters gathered outside. The US and UK advised their citizens in the DRC to take precautions and stay safe. UN vehicles were set on fire and looted, and a Canal+ shop was destroyed during the protests. In a meeting, DR Congo's Foreign Minister assured Western diplomats and UN officials that the government would protect them. The M23 rebel group, one of many armed groups in eastern DRC, has recently caused mass displacement and advanced towards Goma, home to millions of people. The conflict in eastern DRC has resulted in millions of people being displaced, making it one of the largest humanitarian crises globally. The M23 originally formed to protect the persecuted Tutsi population in eastern DRC, with UN experts alleging support from Rwanda, which Rwanda denies.