Belgium's foreign ministry has issued a warning against travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) following violent protests in the capital, Kinshasa. The unrest was sparked by tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo.

The Belgian advisory came after Brussels Airlines canceled its Wednesday flight to and from Kinshasa due to security concerns. The airline, which operates daily flights between Brussels and Kinshasa, stated that operations would resume only after a careful assessment of the security situation.

On January 28, violent protests erupted in Kinshasa, with demonstrators targeting the Belgian embassy, among others. The protests were driven by anger over what many see as international inaction regarding the conflict between DR Congo and the M23 rebel group, which is accused of receiving support from Rwanda and Uganda.

Belgium’s foreign ministry also urged Belgian citizens currently in DR Congo to leave the country by their own means, given the heightened security risks. The unrest led to the looting of supermarkets and the burning of tires, further escalating the chaos in the capital.

The protests are linked to the recent advances by the M23 group, which has captured significant territory in eastern DR Congo, including the regional capital, Goma. The situation remains tense, with international calls for calm and resolution.

Channelstv