President Ruto has condemned the attacks on Kenya Embassy offices and personnel in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by a riotous mob protesting the violent conflict in Eastern DRC.
The attacks comes just a day after Ruto called for ceasefire in the DRC to prevent further killings and looting as the country’s honcho walks on a tightrope trap from the M23 and other militia groups.
The unwarranted attacks, looting, and destruction of property have also been directed at the Uganda embassy.
There were plans by demonstrators to storm, and attack the South African, USA, and Belgian Embassies.
In a quick response, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi,has reached out to his counterpart in DRC, 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.
” We pointed out to the Foreign Minister of DRC that two of Kenya’s staff members had to escape and seek refuge elsewhere, despite the expectation that their safety and that of their families should be guaranteed by the DRC authorities as obligated by international law and provided for by Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,”read the statement in part.
Mudavadi said ,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, in particular, Article 22 (2) and Article 29 which respectively affirm that the premises of the mission and the person of a diplomatic agent are inviolable.
“These unfortunate attacks happened in the condemnation of attacks and looting of our embassy in Kinshasa and call for respect of international law.”
In his response, the DRC Foreign Minister Hon. Thérèse Kayikwamba, has committed to assess and compensate Kenyan government for the damages on embassy.
“Accordingly, 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,”the diplomat asserted.
“it obligates host states to take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on the diplomatic staff, their freedom, or dignity.”
Kenya government has affirmed its continued partnership and commitment to working with the region and international actors in finding peaceful solutions to the conflict.
” We beseech our citizens to exercise extreme caution as the Kenya government reassures you of the emergency response to cater for the safety and welfare of Kenyans in conflict areas,”Mudavadi urged.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Republic of Kenya
