The Congolese government has suspended academic and para-academic activities at eleven public higher education institutions in Goma and Bukavu. This significant measure, which impacts a substantial portion of the higher education landscape in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, was announced by the Minister of Higher and University Education, Scientific Research and Innovations, Marie-Thérèse Sombo. The directive takes effect immediately, signifying the urgency with which the government views the current situation. The decision to halt university operations in the cities of Goma, located in Nord-Kivu province, and Bukavu, the capital of Sud-Kivu province, comes amid escalating security concerns that have profoundly affected the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities have not yet provided a date for the resumption of academic activities, leaving students and faculty uncertain about the future of their studies and work, and creating widespread anxiety across the academic community.
Affected Institutions and Scope
The full suspension, formally stipulated in a decree signed on August 20, encompasses all academic activities across the eleven institutions. This broad directive includes key administrative processes such as registrations and re-registrations, which are fundamental to the academic calendar. It explicitly covers all forms of teaching and instruction, effectively bringing classroom activities to a halt. The measure also impacts evaluations, which are essential for academic progression, and deliberations, the formal processes by which academic decisions are made and results are finalized. Critically, the decree extends to any academic act that would lead to the issuance of a degree for the 2026-2027 academic year, indicating a long-term impact on future graduates. This wide-ranging scope notes the government's intent to completely pause higher education functions in the affected regions.
In Goma, the provincial capital of Nord-Kivu, five prominent institutions are directly impacted by this suspension. These include the Université de Goma (UOG), a key public university in the region, along with specialized institutions such as the Institut supérieur de commerce de Goma (ISC-Goma), which focuses on business education. Also affected are the Institut supérieur des techniques médicales de Goma (ISTM-Goma), vital for training healthcare professionals, the Institut supérieur des techniques appliquées (ISTA), and the Institut supérieur pédagogique (ISP-Goma), which plays a key role in teacher training.
Similarly, Bukavu, the capital of Sud-Kivu, sees six of its public higher education institutions subjected to these measures. The Université officielle de Bukavu (UOB) is among them, alongside the ISC-Bukavu, ISTM-Bukavu, and ISP-Bukavu, mirroring the types of institutions affected in Goma. Additionally, the Institut supérieur de développement rural (ISDR-Bukavu), which is critical for local development initiatives, and the Institut supérieur des arts et métiers (ISAM-Bukavu) are also included in the suspension.
An important exception has been made for students who are graduating in the 2025-2026 academic year. These students, who are nearing the completion of their studies, are permitted to complete their evaluations at other recognized institutions located outside the immediate affected areas. This provision aims to mitigate the disruption for those on the cusp of earning their degrees, offering a pathway for them to conclude their academic journey despite the prevailing security challenges. However, the vast majority of students and faculty face an indefinite period of uncertainty.
Security Context and Accusations
The government's drastic suspension of university activities follows a significant and alarming deterioration of the security situation in eastern Congo. This region has been plagued by persistent conflict, and recent developments have exacerbated the crisis. A major turning point occurred when the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23) coalition gained control of Goma in January 2025, marking a critical strategic advance. Subsequently, the AFC-M23 extended its control to Bukavu in February 2025, further consolidating its presence and influence across key urban centers in the eastern provinces. The AFC-M23 coalition, which has been highly active and influential in the region's conflicts, is notably led by Corneille Nangaa.
Congolese authorities have consistently accused the AFC-M23 of receiving substantial support from neighboring Rwanda. These allegations suggest a deeper regional involvement in the ongoing conflict, adding a complex geopolitical dimension to the internal security challenges. Rwanda, however, has vehemently denied these allegations, refuting any claims of providing assistance to the AFC-M23 coalition. In a reciprocal accusation, Rwanda has, in turn, accused the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi of providing support to the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu rebel group with historical ties to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This intricate web of accusations and denials shows the deep-seated mistrust and diplomatic tensions that characterize relations between the Great Lakes region's nations. The ongoing conflict, driven by these various armed groups and geopolitical rivalries, has created an environment of extreme instability, directly leading to the government's decision to suspend academic life.
Criticism and Warnings
The government's suspension of university activities will remain in effect until further notice, as explicitly stated in the decree. Marie-Thérèse Sombo, the Minister of Higher and University Education, Scientific Research and Innovations, provided the official justification for this broad decision, citing a "particularly worrying security situation" in the affected areas. This phrasing shows the gravity of the perceived threat that prompted the government to take such an unprecedented step, effectively sacrificing academic continuity for the sake of security.
The decision has not been met without significant opposition and concern from various stakeholders. The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC-M23) movement, the very group whose actions are cited as the cause for the suspension, issued a statement on August 26, publicly denouncing the suspension of academic and para-academic activities. Their condemnation notes the contentious nature of the government's move and the differing perspectives on how to address the crisis.
On the same day, Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege made a powerful public statement regarding the situation in Goma and Bukavu. Mukwege, renowned for his humanitarian work and advocacy, emphasized the critical importance of education, stating unequivocally, "L’éducation de nos jeunes est sacrée et non négociable" (The education of our youth is sacred and non-negotiable). He characterized the suspension as a "épistémicide lent" (slow epistemicide), implying a gradual destruction of knowledge and intellectual development, a stark warning about the long-term consequences of such a shutdown. His strong words resonate deeply within the country and internationally, drawing attention to the profound impact on the nation's future.
Adding to the growing chorus of critical voices, former Congolese senator Francine Muyumba also publicly called upon the Kinshasa government to reconsider its decision. Muyumba's appeal emphasizes the need for a re-evaluation of the policy, noting the potential for severe and lasting repercussions on the educational infrastructure and the youth of the affected regions. Her intervention, alongside Mukwege's, adds significant weight to the arguments against the indefinite suspension, urging the government to explore alternative solutions that prioritize both security and the fundamental right to education. The collective criticism from prominent figures shows the widespread concern over the implications of halting higher education in these conflict-affected regions, raising questions about the long-term societal and developmental costs.
