Kenya has expressed deep concern over the worsening violent crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has displaced thousands in the rebel-controlled Goma region.
Tutsi-led M23 ethnic militia claimed control of the lakeside city on Monday, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis as thousands fled their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire between the Rwandan-backed rebels and government-aligned forces.
President William Ruto on Monday called for an emergency East African Community Summit in Nairobi and appealed to President Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi to reach a truce and end the conflict.
But come Tuesday, the crisis took on a new dimension as protesters attacked and firebombed several embassies in the capital Kinshasa, sparking diplomatic concern from Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We are deeply concerned by the ongoing siege and attacks on embassy premises and personnel in Kinshasa, DRC, including the Kenyan, Uganda and South African embassies, by marauding protesters who are voicing their discontent on the conflict in the eastern part of that country," PS Korir Sing'oei said in a statement.
The PS said the development is a serious breach of international law.
"We call on authorities in DRC to take appropriate action. Kenya stands with the DRC during this challenging time and will use all diplomatic means at its disposal to work with the rest of the region in the search for peace. We implore Kenyan citizens and business people to exercise caution during this period," he added.
Ruto, who chairs the EAC, called for immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and emphasised the obligation of all parties to facilitate humanitarian access to affected populations.
Ruto said he personally spoke to Kagame and asked them to heed the call for peace from regional leaders and the international community.
"After consulting the Heads of State of EAC Member States, we will convene an Extraordinary Summit in the next 48 hours to chart the way forward," he said.
On Tuesday, Ruto met with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed over the raging crisis in the DRC on the sidelines of the ongoing Mission 300 Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
"Mohammed expressed the UN's support for the regional efforts by the East African Community Heads of State to end the hostilities in Eastern DRC, including a meeting scheduled for Wednesday,'' Ruto said.
Footage shared online by CNN's Larry Madowo showed protesters attacking and firebombing the French Embassy in Kinshasa.
Madowo said France’s foreign ministry said the protesters did not, however, manage to enter the embassy premises.
"Security forces defending the embassy fired shots, the ministry said, but embassy staff are now safe," Madowo wrote on X.
