The Congolese government has suspended academic and para-academic activities across eleven public higher education institutions located in Goma and Bukavu. This sweeping measure, which has drawn significant criticism, impacts a wide array of educational functions within the affected provinces. The suspension, specifically targeting the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, was formalized by an arrêté (order) signed on August 20. Marie-Thérèse Sombo, the Minister of Higher Education, University, Scientific Research and Innovations, personally made the decision and issued the directive. The measure impacts universities and other higher learning institutions in Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu, regions currently experiencing significant security challenges and ongoing instability. The government's action aims to address concerns regarding the operational environment for educational bodies in these areas, citing the prevailing insecurity as a primary driver. The directive from Minister Sombo reflects a governmental response to the persistent and escalating instability in the eastern part of the country.
The decision by the Congolese authorities has sent ripples through the academic community and among the populace in the eastern provinces. The abrupt halt to educational activities for an entire academic year signifies the gravity with which the government views the security landscape in Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu. This unprecedented move shows the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on civilian life, particularly on the educational prospects of thousands of students. The government's communiqué emphasized the necessity of such a measure to ensure the safety and proper functioning of educational institutions, although critics argue it may have unintended negative consequences.
Security Concerns Drive Suspension
The suspension of academic activities across higher education institutions in Goma and Bukavu is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. This open-ended nature of the suspension adds to the uncertainty faced by students, faculty, and administrative staff. Marie-Thérèse Sombo, the Minister of Higher Education, University, Scientific Research and Innovations, explicitly stated that the decision was prompted by a "particularly worrying security situation" in the affected regions. This assessment by the minister notes the government's perception of the acute risks associated with maintaining normal academic operations in areas under significant duress. The measure encompasses a wide range of academic processes, effectively halting the entire academic cycle. These include inscriptions for new students, re-inscriptions for continuing students, all forms of teaching, scheduled evaluations, official deliberations regarding student performance, and any other academic act that would lead to the awarding of a title or diploma. This full scope means that virtually all functions of higher education are to cease for the specified period, impacting both current and prospective students.
The directive specifies the institutions affected in each city, illustrating the broad reach of the government's decision. In Goma, the provincial capital of Nord-Kivu, the directive impacts several key institutions that serve thousands of students. These include the Université de Goma (UOG), a prominent public university; the Institut supérieur de commerce de Goma (ISC-Goma), which specializes in business and commerce studies; the Institut supérieur des techniques médicales de Goma (ISTM-Goma), a key training ground for healthcare professionals; the Institut supérieur des techniques appliquées (ISTA), focusing on applied sciences and technology; and the Institut supérieur pédagogique (ISP-Goma), which trains future educators. These institutions represent a significant portion of the higher education landscape in Nord-Kivu.
Similarly, in Bukavu, the capital of Sud-Kivu province, the suspension affects an equally vital set of institutions. These include the Université officielle de Bukavu (UOB), another major public university; ISC-Bukavu, its commercial studies counterpart; ISTM-Bukavu, a key medical training institute; ISP-Bukavu, the pedagogical institute; the Institut supérieur de développement rural (ISDR-Bukavu), which focuses on rural development studies; and the Institut supérieur des arts et métiers (ISAM-Bukavu), dedicated to arts and vocational training. The closure of these institutions collectively represents a substantial disruption to the academic life and future prospects of young people in both provinces.
Despite the sweeping nature of the suspension, a special arrangement has been made for a specific cohort of students. Those students who are in their final year of the 2025-2026 academic year will benefit from an exception, allowing them to complete their evaluations. This provision aims to mitigate the immediate impact on students who are on the verge of graduation, enabling them to finalize their studies and obtain their qualifications despite the general suspension affecting other academic levels. This targeted exemption acknowledges the critical stage these students are at in their educational journey.
Context of Conflict and Control
The decision to suspend academic activities is set against a backdrop of escalating conflict and shifting territorial control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The AFC-M23 coalition, a significant non-state armed group, gained control of Goma in January 2025, marking a critical turning point in the regional conflict. The coalition's advance continued, and it subsequently took control of Bukavu in February 2025, further solidifying its presence and influence in the eastern provinces. The AFC-M23 is led by Corneille Nangaa, a prominent figure in the ongoing conflict. Congolese authorities have consistently accused the AFC-M23 of receiving substantial support from Rwanda, a claim that has been a source of significant diplomatic tension and regional instability. This accusation fuels the narrative from Kinshasa that the conflict is not purely internal but involves external actors, complicating efforts towards a resolution. The presence of the AFC-M23 in these key urban centers is directly cited as a primary factor contributing to the "particularly worrying security situation" that prompted the government's drastic educational measures. The government perceives the areas under AFC-M23 control as unsafe for the continuation of public services, including higher education.
Criticism and Calls for Reversal
The Congolese government's decision has not been met without significant opposition and condemnation from various influential figures and organizations. Denis Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate renowned for his work with survivors of sexual violence in the DRC, was among the most vocal critics. Mr. Mukwege unequivocally condemned the suspension of academic activities in Goma and Bukavu, describing it as a deeply concerning development. He issued a stark warning that the government's decision could lead to a "slow epistemicide" (« épistémicide lent »), a term he used to describe a gradual but profound destruction of knowledge. He elaborated that this epistemicide threatens the very foundations of intellectual life: the capacity to think, to engage in research, and to produce new knowledge within the affected regions. Mr. Mukwege emphasized the fundamental importance of education, stating with conviction that "The education of our young people is sacred and non-negotiable" (« L’éducation de nos jeunes est sacrée et non négociable »). He further argued that the move would "tighten the noose" (« resserrer l’étau ») on the already suffering population, likening the suspension to a "silent genocide" (« génocide silencieux ») due to its long-term implications for the intellectual and social fabric of the communities. He reiterated his profound concern about a "slow epistemicide" (« épistémicide lent »), noting the potential for irreversible damage to the region's intellectual capital.
The AFC-M23, the very coalition whose control over Goma and Bukavu is cited as the reason for the suspension, also denounced the decision. The group characterized the government's action as a "collective punishment" against the students and the broader population of the eastern provinces. This statement from the AFC-M23 frames the suspension as an act of reprisal or neglect rather than a genuine security measure, further politicizing the educational crisis.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, former Congolese senator Francine Muyumba also publicly called on Kinshasa to reverse its decision. Ms. Muyumba voiced strong opposition to the measure, arguing against the logic of sacrificing education in response to conflict. She stated, "We do not fight the consequences of war by sacrificing the education of those who are already suffering from it" (« On ne combat pas les conséquences de la guerre en sacrifiant l’éducation de ceux qui la subissent déjà »). Her remarks noted the view that the suspension unfairly burdens students who are already enduring the hardships and trauma of conflict, suggesting that education should be protected as a lifeline rather than curtailed. These condemnations from various quarters show the deep divisions and widespread concern surrounding the government's drastic measure, with critics arguing that it may exacerbate the suffering of the population and undermine the future development of the region.
