In the capital city of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), protests turned violent as demonstrators accused Western governments of failing to address a rebellion in the eastern part of the country. The protesters specifically targeted the governments of the United States and Belgium, the former colonial power of DR Congo.

The M23 rebel group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda, has been a source of contention in the region. The rebellion has led to deadly attacks, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes in the Masisi region and seek refuge in Goma, a major city in DR Congo. With the M23 rebels advancing towards Goma, tensions have escalated, leading to increasing anger among the population.

On Monday, police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds as protesters attempted to advance towards Western embassies. Demonstrators burned US and Belgian flags, symbolizing their frustration with perceived Western inaction. The protests have also targeted French and American embassies, with anti-riot police standing guard to maintain order.

"The Westerners are behind the looting of our country. Rwanda doesn't work alone, so they must leave our country," stated Pepin Mbindu, a protester.

Footage from Reuters showed protesters setting tires alight in the city center, while a video circulating on social media depicted French and European Union flags being removed from a Belgian-owned hotel. The hotel cited the desire to avoid provoking protesters as the reason for taking down the flags.

The unrest has raised concerns for the safety of foreign nationals in DR Congo. The US government emphasized the need for its citizens to maintain a low profile and ensure they have enough supplies should they need to stay home for several days. The UK foreign office warned that protests were likely to continue throughout the week and that foreign nationals could be indiscriminately targeted.

The United Nations (UN), which has a peacekeeping force in eastern DR Congo, reported that several of its vehicles were set ablaze and ransacked over the weekend. A shop belonging to French broadcaster Canal+ was also destroyed by demonstrators. The UN and Western diplomats received assurances from DR Congo's Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula that the government would protect them.

The conflict in eastern DR Congo involves numerous armed groups vying for control of the region's mineral-rich resources. It has displaced nearly seven million people, constituting one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, as noted by the UN.

The M23 rebel group, which emerged in 2012 with the aim of protecting the Tutsi population in eastern DR Congo, is believed to have the backing of Rwanda. Rwanda, however, denies any involvement with the group. The situation remains tense as the rebellion threatens the safety and well-being of the population in DR Congo's eastern region.