DRC: Archbishop François Xavier Maroy urges government and RFN not to use education as a weapon of war

Bukavu Archbishop François Xavier Maroy wrote to the Ministry of Higher and University Education, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (RFN) and education partners, urging them not to turn education into a battlefield. He raised concerns about the AFC/M23’s appointments of university administrators, followed by the suspension of activities at the institutions concerned and sanctions against the appointed lecturers. The ministry says its measures are intended to protect university governance, the validity of academic records and the credibility of degrees. Since the August 10 suspension, some students have moved to universities in other provinces, while those without the means to relocate are waiting for a compromise to resume classes.