Kinshasa, Jan 29 (NationPress) Uganda Airlines has decided to suspend its flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where numerous embassies have sustained damage, been looted, and even set ablaze during widespread protests.

This decision was enacted on Tuesday following violent demonstrations targeting foreign embassies in response to the critical conditions in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and the perceived inaction of the international community, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Demonstrators were observed blocking major roads, disrupting traffic, halting commercial activities, igniting tires, and chanting slogans outside the embassies of the United States and other Western nations, as well as the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Protesters set part of the French embassy on fire, while the nearby Ugandan embassy was also looted and burned. Explosive sounds were reported near the Rwandan embassy and the US consulate.

Daniel Bumba Lubaki, the governor of Kinshasa, announced the suspension of all protests in the city on Tuesday, although another peaceful march is still anticipated in the capital. Blaise Kilimbalimba, the police chief of Kinshasa, urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and return home, warning of serious repercussions for those causing disturbances.

Hostilities reignited in Goma on Tuesday morning after a relatively quiet night. March 23 Movement (M23) rebels have been launching attacks on Goma since late Sunday.

Local sources informed Xinhua that fierce clashes between the DRC army and the rebels have been ongoing since early Tuesday. According to military reports, the rebels have gained control of the area close to the airport, a strategic location previously held by the M23.

On Tuesday, Uganda announced that the UN has evacuated some of its personnel from Goma. Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda’s minister of state for foreign affairs responsible for international cooperation, stated via telephone to Xinhua that the UN's administrative and non-essential staff were relocated to Kampala, Uganda's capital, as a safety precaution amid the escalating violence and territorial gains by the M23.

“The relocation and evacuation of the non-essential and civilian staff of the UN from Goma to Uganda is a safety measure. We will provide updates on the number once the evacuation is completed,” said Oryem.

The African Union (AU) condemned the violence in eastern DRC on Tuesday and urged the M23 to “surrender” its arms.

During an extraordinary ministerial meeting, the AU’s Peace and Security Council, led by Bankole Adeoye, AU commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, called on the M23 to disarm, honor the August 2024 ceasefire agreement, and prioritize dialogue for a peaceful resolution.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in eastern DRC and reiterated his strongest condemnation of the M23’s ongoing offensive and advances toward Goma.

Guterres urged the M23 to halt all hostile actions immediately and withdraw from occupied territories. Since the beginning of 2025, over 400,000 individuals have been displaced in eastern DRC, according to the UN.