Congo Senate head hospitalized after Paris attack

Joseph Kabila, President of DRC

Congo Senate head hospitalized after Paris attack

The Senate President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been admitted to a Paris hospital after being attacked in the French capital.

The French Foreign Ministry said on its website it was investigating the New Year's Eve attack on Senate President Leon Kengo Wa Dondo while Kinshasa demanded an explanation from French authorities.

The Ministry said he had been in Paris on a private visit and had not informed French authorities of his arrival. Security forces came to his aid as quickly as possible and he had been admitted to a hospital in the city, it added.

"An investigation is underway. We have passed this information on to the Congolese authorities, and remain in contact with them," the ministry said.

The statement did not however comment on the health condition of the Senate President or the possible motive of the attack.

Summon 

Congolese Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said the French ambassador in Kinshasa had been summoned by Congo's Foreign Ministry to explain the incident.

"At government level, the situation is very serious ; we consider that France has an obligation to ensure the safety of Congolese officials travelling to Paris, of our representatives and our diplomatic mission", Mwamba told reporters.

REUTERS/Ehimen/Cokey