The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not expect further attacks on embassies in the capital, Kinshasa, and those responsible for previous incidents will face legal consequences, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told Sputnik.
"No, I do not believe we will face such problems again. It is true that the unrest was a result of tensions in the east of the country. It is regrettable that several embassies were targeted," the prime minister said, commenting on the possibility of renewed unrest after large-scale protests erupted in Kinshasa in late January in front of the embassies of France, the US, Rwanda, Belgium and other countries.
Those responsible for previous incidents will face legal consequences, the DRC official noted.
"As prime minister and head of government, I personally visited these embassies to make it clear that our government does not support such actions. Protesting is acceptable, but as the head of state [Felix Tshisekedi] himself has said, backing down is not the path we should take. Those who committed these offenses must be punished according to the law," she explained.
Following the failure of mediation efforts led by Angola, the M23 rebel movement resumed its offensive in eastern DRC. The Congolese authorities accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the rebels and demand the withdrawal of its troops, an allegation Kigali denies.
In late January, M23 forces captured Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, and by mid-February, they had taken control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.