The Congolese government is facing legal action for failing to pay rent on its embassy in London, it has emerged.

The step taken by the owners of the property on Great Portland Street was revealed in a court case against a group of squatters who have been occupying part of the building.

Mount Eden Land Ltd, the freeholder behind the proceedings against the squatters, said that even though the Congolese had failed to pay rent on the embassy it remained a tenant and had a right to the “peaceful enjoyment of the property”.

On Monday, a possession order was made in favour of Mount Eden Land, accepting their arguments that the squatters had been trespassing. They now face eviction.

The embassy is already the subject of controversy over the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s human rights record, one of the worst in the world.



A new wave of protests in London against the regime began on New Year’s Eve after demonstrators in DRC were killed during a peaceful protest and religious leaders were attacked.



The anti-Congolese government protesters daubed graffiti on the the London embassy calling for the removal of Joseph Kabila, the country’s president.

The squatters, who call themselves the Embassy of the Republic of Conscience, moved into the property in late December. Describing themselves as “environmentally conscious artists”, they have displayed art installations parodying Donald Trump and his stance on climate change and have papered the walls with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals.

The part of the building the squatters are now occupying was previously a shop. There are colourful displays in the shop window on climate change and sustainable living.

Daniel, one of the squatters, said: “We wanted a space near Oxford Circus to highlight issues of sustainability. We set up a pop-up embassy of the Republic of Conscience next to the Congolese embassy. As soon as we moved in we witnessed Congolese protesters outside the embassy protesting about human rights abuses. We have had a lot of support from local shopkeepers and will continue to spread our message about environmental sustainability.”



Okito Tongomo, leader of the Congolese opposition and president of the Congo Support Group, said he would continue protesting. “The situation on Congo is catastrophic and we are calling for regime change and respect for the constitution,” he said.



The Congolese embassy has not responded to a request for comment.



