Maï-Ndombe: After More Than a Month of Striking, Education Minister Dissolves Teachers’ Union Coalition and Orders Classes to Resume

Provincial Education Minister Justin Iyolo dissolved the provisional committee of the Maï-Ndombe 1 teachers’ union coalition and ordered classes to resume on October 19, after more than a month of strikes in Inongo. He cited the committee’s shortcomings and said progress had been made toward paying salary arrears, warning that school managers who defy the order could face administrative sanctions. Coalition president Gédéon Mfuba disputes the decision, arguing that the minister has no hierarchical authority over a union organization. Teachers are demanding unpaid salaries for December 2025 and January 2026, and the school year has yet to begin in Inongo’s public schools since September 1.