Uganda Airlines has suspended all flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following a wave of violent protests that rocked the city.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, comes as mass demonstrations targeting foreign embassies and international organizations turned chaotic, with reports of looting, arson, and widespread destruction.
The protests, fueled by growing frustration over the dire situation in Goma—the capital of North Kivu province—and perceived inaction by the international community, have plunged Kinshasa into turmoil.
Demonstrators flooded the city’s main streets, burning tires, disrupting traffic, and chanting slogans outside embassies and the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
The French embassy suffered significant damage after part of its exterior was set ablaze. Nearby, the Ugandan embassy was also targeted, with reports of looting and fires.
In neighborhoods housing the Rwandan embassy and the U.S. consular services, sounds of detonations echoed, according to a Xinhua reporter on the ground.
A City on Edge
In response to the escalating violence, Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba Lubaki announced a suspension of all marches and protest movements in the city.
However, plans for another peaceful demonstration remain in place, raising concerns about further unrest.
Kinshasa Police Commander Blaise Kilimbalimba urged protesters to remain calm and return home, warning that those inciting violence would face severe consequences.
“We will not tolerate any acts of destruction or lawlessness,” he stated.
Meanwhile, hostilities in Goma resumed on Tuesday morning after a brief lull. The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, who launched attacks on the city late Sunday, have intensified their offensive.
Local sources report fierce clashes between the DRC army and rebel forces near the airport, a strategic location now under M23 control.
International Response
The United Nations has begun evacuating non-essential staff from Goma as the situation worsens.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, confirmed that UN personnel have been relocated to Kampala, Uganda’s capital, as a precautionary measure.
“The safety of our staff and the international community is our top priority,” Oryem told Xinhua by phone. “We are closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure stability in the region.”
What This Means for Travelers
Uganda Airlines’ suspension of flights to Kinshasa underscores the severity of the crisis.
Travelers are advised to avoid the region until further notice and monitor updates from their respective embassies.
As tensions in the DRC continue to escalate, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of the conflict and restore peace to the region.
