Belgium has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following violent protests in Kinshasa against the ongoing conflict in the east of the country. The protests, which escalated on January 28, 2025, targeted several foreign embassies, including the Belgian embassy, due to international inaction regarding the crisis in eastern DR Congo.

In a statement, Belgium's foreign ministry warned that "all travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently discouraged." The ministry added that Belgian nationals already in the country could "leave the country by their own means."

The violence included attacks on embassies of countries accused of failing to intervene in the conflict, such as Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, France, Belgium, and the United States. The protests also led to looting of supermarkets and the burning of tires in Kinshasa.

National carrier Brussels Airlines canceled its flights to and from Kinshasa on January 29, 2025, citing safety concerns. The airline operates a daily Brussels-Kinshasa return service but stated that flights would resume after a security assessment.

The unrest follows a significant escalation in the eastern region, where the Tutsi-led M23 armed group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has seized control of the city of Goma. Belgium, which has historical ties with DR Congo and a large Congolese diaspora, expressed deep concern over the growing instability in the country.

In response, international organizations, including the EU and France, condemned the embassy attacks and called for de-escalation. The situation remains volatile as protests continue, and further violence could follow if the conflict in the east worsens.

Channelstv