AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa has condemned the Congolese authorities’s suspension of public universities and different greater studying establishments in areas below the insurgent motion’s management, saying the choice deprives college students in jap DR Congo of their proper to training.
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Nangaa, writing on X on Thursday, August 27, described the suspension as a “cynical determination” and accused Kinshasa of utilizing training as a software within the battle.
The Congolese minister of universities and analysis suspended all educational and para-academic actions for the 2026–2027 educational 12 months in public greater studying establishments in Goma and Bukavu cities, together with registrations, instructing, examinations, deliberations and different actions resulting in the award of levels.
The affected establishments embrace the College of Goma, ISC-Goma, ISTM-Goma, ISTA-Goma and ISP-Goma, in addition to the Official College of Bukavu, ISC-Bukavu, ISTM-Bukavu, ISP-Bukavu, ISDR-Bukavu and ISAM-Bukavu. The establishments will stay suspended till additional discover.
The choice adopted the set up of latest administration committees at a number of greater studying establishments in Bukavu by the AFC/M23 administration on August 12, a transfer opposed by Kinshasa.
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Nangaa stated the suspension violates the fitting to training assured by DR Congo’s Structure and nationwide training legislation, in addition to worldwide commitments.
“It’s merely unacceptable to trample on this approach on the fitting to training, which is a basic and inalienable proper, strongly assured by the Structure of the DRC,” he wrote.
He additionally rejected the usage of training as a part of the political and navy confrontation, arguing that closing universities can’t be justified.
“One doesn’t conduct public coverage or a protection technique by closing universities. One doesn’t sanction a inhabitants or a territory by depriving its youth of data. One doesn’t protect the Republic by sacrificing the educational {and professional} way forward for its college students.”
The insurgent chief reassured college students and fogeys that the AFC/M23 motion would guarantee educational actions proceed in areas below its management.
“To the beleaguered dad and mom and our pricey college students, we ship a message of firmness and serenity, don’t give in to panic or agitation,” Nangaa stated.
“Relaxation assured that the AFC-M23 absolutely assumes its tasks to ensure the continuity of educational actions below regular situations and with out the slightest disruption.”
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He stated universities would stay open.
“A lot to the displeasure of the illegitimate Kinshasa regime, our universities will proceed to function, our campuses will stay open, and our kids will pursue their research with dignity, tranquility, and accountability. The way forward for our youth won’t ever be confiscated.”
Nangaa additionally linked the college suspension to different disruptions in areas managed by the motion, together with the closure of banks and the blocking of airport infrastructure, and what he noticed because the diversion and deliberate confiscation of funds supposed for the struggle towards the outbreak of Ebola illness.
He described these measures as a part of a broader coverage of hostility and collective punishment towards civilians in areas below AFC/M23 management.
