The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have called for peace amidst protests in the capital Kinshasa where residents are demanding for the departure of the international community on allegations that they are supporting the M23 rebels and Rwanda in the ongoing war in the eastern part of the country.
Protestants damaged property belonging to and barricaded roads at the United Nations, United Kingdom, United States, France and Belgium in Kinshasa calling for their immediate departure.
However, government has since reassured the nation that the UN and SADC as well as the rest of the international community remain in support of the Congolese defence forces (FARDC) in the fight against the M23 fighters who continue to occupy several towns and villages surrounding the city of Goma, North Kivu Province.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said government had understood the frustrations of the population but cautions that violence will not be not the appropriate response to this situation of insecurity in the east.
“We understand the frustration and anger of our compatriots, but violence is not the appropriate response. Alongside these events in Kinshasa last weekend, we witnessed attacks by the Rwandan army against targets civilians in a displaced persons camp in Sake.
Early this morning, the VPM, Minister of National Defense, Jean-Pierre Bemba, went to Goma to assess the deployment of our troops and their morale while they are at the front against the Rwandan forces” Muyaya said.
Muyaya acknowledged the cause for concern over the security situation in the eastern part of the Republic by the Congolese population and added that government were expecting the people to support the FARDC rather than take violent action.
“Today we recognize the conscious attitude of our population towards this war. We consider this to be the result of our awareness-raising efforts. Although citizens have expressed their frustration in the streets and in front of Western chancelleries, we We must remember that violence, whether verbal or physical, is not the solution. It is important that we remain calm and avoid violence. We must show support to our military as we continue our fight through the armed forces” Muyaya said.
