Congolese citizens demand withdrawal of Burundi, foreign troops

DR Congo citizens on Monday, February 17, took to the streets in a wave of fresh protests demanding the immediate withdrawal of foreign military forces, including MONUSCO, the Burundi National Defence Forces (FNDB), and the SAMIDRC troops.

- AGENCIES

The demonstrators, who flocked the streets of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, say that the continued presence of these troops is exacerbating insecurity rather than curbing the vice and protecting innocent civilians.

Hundreds of protestors were seen on the streets of Goma, recently captured by the M23, chanting slogans and holding banners inscribed in French and Swahili that called for the departure of foreign forces. "Is the government waiting for them to take over other towns to take action? It's cowardice," he said.