“Do not use education as a weapon of war”: Archbishop Appeals over University Closures in Eastern DRC

Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu has called on the Democratic Republic of Congo government and AFC/M23 rebel authorities to end a dispute over university appointments that has caused several institutions to close. In an open letter dated October 10, the Archbishop urged the Ministry of Higher and University Education and the rebel coalition to prioritize student education over their political differences.

The conflict began after the AFC/M23 movement appointed administrative and financial staff at universities in Goma and Bukavu on May 29 and June 25. On August 7, the movement extended these appointments to management committees at 10 higher education institutions in both cities. Following these moves, the Ministry of Higher and University Education, Scientific Research and Innovations issued a communiqué on August 10 condemning the appointments, sanctioning the personnel involved, and ordering the closure of the affected schools.

The Archbishop asked the authorities to stop using education as a battlefield for settling scores and to act responsibly for the future of the country. The ministry has proposed that the affected students enroll in other universities and higher education institutions.