Diplomatic Briefing
Your exclusive news aggregator handpicked daily!Archive for Congo
Newsline: China summons Congo’s envoy over blast
Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng on Monday urgently summoned Felix Ngoma, charge d’affaires of the Republic of Congo’s embassy in China, after Chinese nationals were killed and injured in an arsenal blast in the country’s capital, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The blast occurred at 8 am on Sunday, local time, in Brazzaville. Xie called for the Republic of Congo to take all necessary measures to rescue and treat the injured Chinese. The Chinese government attaches great importance to safeguarding its overseas citizens, the vice foreign minister said. Xie said a Chinese working group will soon reach the Republic of Congo. The Republic of Congo also should protect the security of other Chinese organizations, enterprises and personnel in the country, Xie said. China expresses condolence and sympathy to the severe casualties in the Republic of Congo due to the unfortunate incident, Xie said. Ngoma gave his thanks for China’s sympathy and solicitude. The Chinese Embassy in the Republic of Congo has confirmed six Chinese are dead and dozens injured, some of them seriously. About 140 Chinese workers of the Beijing Construction Engineering Group were working at a nearby construction site when the explosion occurred.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-03/06/content_14767978.htm
Newsline: Russian Embassy in Congo shattered by ammo dump blast
At least 4 people are known dead after several powerful explosions ripped through an army ammunition dump near the Congolese capital Brazzaville. The death toll is likely to rise. The blast shattered window panes in the Russian Embassy compound. The smoke from the explosions could be seen from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_03_04/67492169/
Newsline: Congo embassy workers claim asylum in UK
Three senior diplomats have resigned from their posts at the Congolese embassy in London and claimed asylum in the UK. Baby Kazadi Moussonzo, first secretary to the ambassador; Mamie Yaya Efunga, another first secretary; and Kabengele Mamba, second secretary, had between them a total of 14 years service at the London embassy. They resigned earlier this month and have issued a lengthy statement denouncing their government, accusing it of presiding over a “climate of terror”. They claimed the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was guilty of abductions, arrests and assassinations as well as turning the police and Republican Guard into a private militia. Congo’s incumbent president, Joseph Kabila, was re-elected last November but controversy surrounded the results with opposition politicians claiming the ballot was rigged. The three diplomats said in their statement that there had been substantial election fraud and ballot box stuffing. A spokeswoman for the Congolese embassy said it was not commenting on the resignations.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/20/congo-embassy-workers-asylum-uk?newsfeed=true
