The Congolese government says students will not be forced to restart their studies as it introduces measures to protect academic records, recognized diplomas and the legal functioning of higher-education institutions in Goma and Bukavu.
KINSHASA, — August 27, 2026 — The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced measures aimed at protecting university students and preserving the validity of their academic studies amid what it describes as interference by AFC/M23 in public higher-education institutions in occupied areas.
In an official communiqué issued Thursday, the government accused AFC/M23, which it describes as “Rwanda’s proxy,” of interfering in the operation of certain public higher-education institutions, including through the removal of legally appointed management committees and the irregular installation of other individuals in academic positions.
The government said it has consequently adopted a series of “conservative, targeted and temporary” measures concerning 11 higher-education institutions specifically identified in Goma and Bukavu.
The measures were adopted during the academic holidays and transition between academic years, with authorities saying the objective is to protect students before the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year.
Students Will Not Have to Start Their Studies Again
One of the government's clearest messages concerns students who have already completed part of their academic programmes.
According to the communiqué, academic achievements regularly obtained remain protected, and affected students will not be required to restart their education from the beginning.
The government says the measures will allow authorities to organize the orientation of students and ensure continuity of their studies in institutions that meet the legal requirements of the DRC.
Academic records will remain subject to continued monitoring and may be reassessed as the security situation evolves and as the legal and institutional functioning of the affected institutions is restored.
PRESS RELEASE
DRC Protects Students, Diplomas in AFC/M23-Held Areas
DRC announces measures to protect university students, academic records and recognized diplomas amid AFC/M23 control in Goma and Bukavu
August 27, 2026 at 1:41:12 PM
August 27, 2026 at 1:41:35 PM
🕒 5 min read
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The Congolese government says students will not be forced to restart their studies as it introduces measures to protect academic records, recognized diplomas and the legal functioning of higher-education institutions in Goma and Bukavu.
KINSHASA, — August 27, 2026 — The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced measures aimed at protecting university students and preserving the validity of their academic studies amid what it describes as interference by AFC/M23 in public higher-education institutions in occupied areas.
In an official communiqué issued Thursday, the government accused AFC/M23, which it describes as “Rwanda’s proxy,” of interfering in the operation of certain public higher-education institutions, including through the removal of legally appointed management committees and the irregular installation of other individuals in academic positions.
The government said it has consequently adopted a series of “conservative, targeted and temporary” measures concerning 11 higher-education institutions specifically identified in Goma and Bukavu.
The measures were adopted during the academic holidays and transition between academic years, with authorities saying the objective is to protect students before the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year.
Students Will Not Have to Start Their Studies Again
One of the government's clearest messages concerns students who have already completed part of their academic programmes.
According to the communiqué, academic achievements regularly obtained remain protected, and affected students will not be required to restart their education from the beginning.
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The government says the measures will allow authorities to organize the orientation of students and ensure continuity of their studies in institutions that meet the legal requirements of the DRC.
Academic records will remain subject to continued monitoring and may be reassessed as the security situation evolves and as the legal and institutional functioning of the affected institutions is restored.
The government said the measures do not amount to a general closure of higher education in North Kivu and South Kivu and do not represent an abandonment of students living in areas under occupation.
Kinshasa Rejects AFC/M23 Authority Over Congolese Universities
The government maintains that occupation of part of Congolese territory does not grant Rwanda or AFC/M23 administrative or academic authority over Congolese institutions.
According to the statement, only management committees legally appointed by the Congolese state are authorized to make binding decisions concerning the affected institutions.
“A Congolese university cannot become war booty,” the government declared.
Kinshasa says allowing an academic year to proceed under conditions it considers legally compromised could ultimately harm students and their families by raising questions about the validity of studies and qualifications obtained under such arrangements.
The government cited provisions of the Congolese Constitution, the country's higher-education framework law, international human-rights instruments, UNESCO standards on university autonomy and academic freedom, and UN Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021) concerning the protection and continuity of education during armed conflict.
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Government Says Recognized Teachers Will Continue to Be Paid
The communiqué also addresses the position of university lecturers and other academic personnel affected by the conflict.
The government said the Congolese state has not abandoned teachers suffering the consequences of the aggression.
Regularly recognized teachers will continue receiving their salaries, including those who have been displaced, become refugees or are unable to perform their normal duties because of the occupation.
However, the government said individual cases involving possible collaboration with AFC/M23 will be examined under existing procedures and with respect for the rights of the defence.
Kinshasa added that it remains supportive of people suffering because of the war while distinguishing them from individuals who may have joined or supported movements involved in what the government describes as aggression against the Republic.
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Public Services Will Continue in Occupied Areas
The government stressed that occupation does not automatically mean the suspension of all state services.
It said public officials continue to be supported and public institutions maintained wherever possible so that essential services remain available to populations living in areas outside the government's effective territorial control.
The latest measures, according to Kinshasa, are therefore intended specifically to protect students, academic continuity, diploma validity and the legal status of Congolese higher-education institutions.
The government reaffirmed that it will continue working to end the conflict, restore full state authority across occupied territories and return the affected institutions to regular operation.
Its central message to affected students is that legitimately completed academic work will remain protected and no student is being ordered to begin their university education again from zero.
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