Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that Kenyan staff working at Kenya’s Embassy offices in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), were forced to flee to safety.
This is after an attack by a riotous mob protesting the violent conflict in Eastern DRC on Tuesday January 28.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 28, Mudavadi said the staff were forced to run for their lives, despite the expectation that their safety and that of their families should be guaranteed by the DRC authorities.
“We brought to the attention of the Foreign Minister of the DRC that two members of Kenya’s diplomatic staff were forced to flee and seek refuge elsewhere due to the violent attack,” read the statement in parts.
“This situation occurred despite the expectation that their safety, along with that of their families, should be guaranteed by the DRC authorities. Such protection is mandated under international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which obligates host countries to ensure the safety and security of foreign diplomats and their families.”
Kenyan Staff Flee After Embassy Attack and Looting in DRC
Mudavadi emphasized that the Convention identifies host states as being under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.
“Additionally, it obligates host states to take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on the diplomatic staff, their freedom, or dignity,” he added.
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Mudavadi said these violent attacks, looting, and destruction of property are a grave violation of international law and the long-held principles and provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, particularly Article 22 (2) and Article 29, which affirm that the premises of the mission and the person of the diplomatic agent are inviolable.
He also asserted that these unfortunate attacks happened in the full glare of DRC security officers, who took no action to mitigate the situation
Mudavadi Responds After Embassy Attacked in DRC
The Prime CS further stated that he has reached out to his counterpart in DR Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, who has confirmed the unfortunate incident and assured that urgent measures were being taken to address the situation and reestablish order.
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He disclosed that the DRC Foreign Minister has committed to assess and compensate Kenyan government for the damages on embassy.
“We acknowledge the assurances of Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, that as our friendly partner country, and due to their commitment to international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the DRC government has taken an emergency response to address the situation and ensure the security and safety of Kenyan staff and their families,” the Prime CS said.
The demonstrators also targeted the embassies of Uganda, Rwanda, France, and the United States, countries they accuse of complicity in Rwanda’s support of M23 rebels, who have since captured Goma, the eastern DRC capital.
What is Happening in DRC
Goma, located near Rwanda’s border, faces ongoing instability due to conflicts in eastern DRC.
As of Monday, January 27, the M23 rebel group reportedly seized the city after intense clashes, though the government insists it still controls key areas, including the airport.
Videos show M23 fighters patrolling Goma after a swift advance on January 26, forcing mass displacement. While streets are now mostly quiet, uncertainty remains.
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