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DR Congo suspends university activities in M23-controlled areas
The Congolese higher education ministry, in a decree on Wednesday, ordered the halt of "all academic activities until further notice" at state establishments of higher and university education in Goma and Bukavu.
DR Congo suspends university activities in M23-controlled areas
By: AFP ., Journalist @New Vision
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GOMA — DR Congo authorities on Wednesday ordered the suspension of activities at public universities in eastern areas controlled by the M23 armed group after condemning "illegal" appointments at the institutions.
The M23, backed by Rwanda, has seized large swathes of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces since 2021, including their capitals Goma and Bukavu early last year.
The Congolese higher education ministry, in a decree on Wednesday, ordered the halt of "all academic activities until further notice" at state establishments of higher and university education in Goma and Bukavu.
The decree said the decision was due to "the need to prevent academic activities from being carried out outside the legal and institutional framework".
The decree said the decision was due to "the need to prevent academic activities from being carried out outside the legal and institutional framework".
An M23 official later announced on X that a system was being set up to allow students to continue their studies.
Earlier this month, Congolese authorities criticised a series of "illegal" appointments by the M23 to the management committees of several universities in areas under its control.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been mired in conflict for more than three decades with myriad armed groups fighting over its mineral-rich territory.
On Sunday, the Swiss government announced that the DRC and M23 had agreed on a roadmap for peace talks following negotiations in Switzerland.
Earlier this month, Congolese authorities criticised a series of "illegal" appointments by the M23 to the management committees of several universities in areas under its control.
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been mired in conflict for more than three decades with myriad armed groups fighting over its mineral-rich territory.
On Sunday, the Swiss government announced that the DRC and M23 had agreed on a roadmap for peace talks following negotiations in Switzerland.