Congo shocked by attack on its embassy in Paris, demands adequate security

The government of the Republic of Congo on Wednesday condemned the attack on its embassy in Paris calling for adequate security measures for its diplomats in France.

Congo Brazzaville embassy in Paris petrol bombed https://t.co/heI3MUlLGL

— africanews (@africanews) June 21, 2016

“The government condemns this terrorist act which follows a series of attacks in the past months on our diplomatic premises within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Congo in France,” the Congolese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. A group of men on Tuesday run their car into the front gate of the embassy at Paul Valery road in the 16th district of Paris.

According to police sources, they entered the porters’ lodge of the embassy and burned a mattress and later setting fire to a car outside before taking flight.

Des criminels attaquent l'Ambassade du Congo à Paris et mettent le feu. ICIBrazza Maintenezlecap pic.twitter.com/kTJTG6RSO5

— Congo Souverain (@congosouverain) June 21, 2016

The statement form the Congolese government said it is surprised about the recurrence of such incidents in France where security measures have been strengthened because of the state of emergency in force following the November 13, 2015 attacks.

“The Congolese authorities require that adequate measures are taken to ensure the safety of Congolese diplomatic services in France,” it added.

The French police have however opened investigation into the attack.

The Congolese embassy in Paris has been a target of attacks over the years. The latest was in October 2015 when a group of eight opposition supporters stormed the embassy causing damage to property in protest against the October referendum that allowed President Sassou Nguesso run for a third term in office.

Nguesso was later declared first round winner of the March 20 polls with 60.39 percent of the vote, strongly contested by the opposition.