Thousands of angry Congolese attacked several United Nations compounds today as protests swept the vast Democratic Republic of Congo over violence in the volatile east.
Enraged by fighting in the town of Bukavu threatening Congo's fragile peace process, civilians turned their fury on the UN force charged with policing the process on the ground.
Hundreds of rioters attacked the UN headquarters in the capital Kinshasa yesterday, but by today their ranks had swelled to more than 5,000, rampaging through the streets, smashing up vehicles and burning tyres.
UN guards shot dead two looters among a mob that attacked a UN warehouse in the city, a UN official said.
"It's like in the movies. they're burning tyres in front of the headquarters and the police are firing in the air and shooting teargas. It's crazy out there," a UN staff member said by phone from inside the compound.
Some protesters were demanding the head of the UN mission in Congo, Mr William Swing, resign, accusing the mission of complicity with Rwandan forces.
Kinshasa has accused Rwandan forces of helping ex-rebel fighters capture the border town of Bukavu yesterday.