The Panel of Experts, a public organization demanding the closure of the embassies of the United States, France, and Belgium, has been established in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It called for such a step to avoid the seizure and looting of diplomatic missions by demonstrators angry at Western policies in Africa, Actualite reported.
The demonstrations outside Western embassies in Kinshasa are caused by the Congolese public's dissatisfaction with events in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda and its allies in the West have become more active, said Diedonne Mushagalusha, coordinator of the Panel of Experts.
Rwanda, for its part, has repeatedly denied the DRC's claims.
"We cannot remain indifferent to phenomena such as war and injustice," he told the portal. "We see them as a direct threat to the very existence of our country. The government has repeatedly stated that it has run out of patience with the aggressor country. If we act by diplomatic methods - we should ask the embassies of the United States, France, Belgium, if we want to go further – we should close these embassies so that they are not seized and looted".
The day before, DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Peter Kazadi, called for calm and discipline. He assured that the government would take all measures to stop the aggression and the plundering of the country's natural resources. Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda and its unnamed foreign backers of providing direct military aid to the rebels in eastern DRC.
Mass anti-Western demonstrations began in Kinshasa on February 10. Police had to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Rallies and demonstrations took place in front of the British Embassy, the Memling Hotel owned by a Belgian company, French, American and Belgian schools, and buildings housing Western diplomats.
In addition, rioters set fire to the flags of the US and former colonial power Belgium, which they accused of plundering the DRC's national wealth. Police took over the French and US embassies in the central district of Gombe, as well as shops owned by natives of those countries, under heavy guard.
The US Embassy in Kinshasa urged its citizens to stay home and stock up on water and food for the next few days. The British Foreign Office warned that anti-Western protests could last up to a week.