GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo — August 27, 2026 — Tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) have expanded beyond the battlefield into the education sector, as the movement rejected Kinshasa’s suspension of academic activities at public higher-education institutions in Goma and Bukavu while reporting renewed fighting across parts of eastern DRC.
The dispute follows a decision by the Congolese Ministry of Higher Education, University Studies, Scientific Research and Innovation to temporarily suspend academic activities at several public institutions located in areas controlled by AFC/M23. The measure affects universities and institutes in Goma, North Kivu, and Bukavu, South Kivu, and follows an earlier dispute over appointments made by AFC/M23 to management positions at higher-education institutions.
Kinshasa has maintained that appointments made under AFC/M23 authority have no legal standing. The government has also suspended the salaries of 48 higher-education employees whom authorities accuse of joining AFC/M23, pledging allegiance to it or accepting positions under its administration.
In a communiqué dated August 26, AFC/M23 strongly rejected the government’s measures, describing education as a fundamental right that should remain insulated from political and military disputes. The movement argued that students should not lose an academic year because of the continuing conflict and called on university administrators in areas under its control to continue academic and related activities.
AFC/M23 said the suspension amounted to the politicization of higher education and promised to cover expenses associated with academic personnel whose salaries have been affected by Kinshasa’s measures. It also sought to reassure students, parents and university employees that academic activities would continue in areas under its administration. Independent reporting confirms that AFC/M23 has publicly opposed the suspension and accused Kinshasa of politicizing the university sector.
The education confrontation comes at a particularly sensitive moment for peace efforts. Representatives of Kinshasa and AFC/M23 met in Switzerland from August 17 to 21 under the Qatar-mediated Doha process and agreed on a new roadmap aimed at advancing negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement. The process also includes mechanisms intended to strengthen monitoring and verification of the ceasefire.
Despite those diplomatic developments, allegations of renewed military operations continue. In a statement issued Thursday, August 27, AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka accused forces aligned with Kinshasa of launching simultaneous attacks at approximately 6:00 a.m. against Nzibira, Kishadu and Chulwe in Walungu territory. He further alleged that operations were intensified around Katoyi in Masisi territory and that heavy weapons and explosive drones were used against Point Zéro, Nyaruhinga and Mukoko in the Minembwe area.
AFC/M23 said its forces had responded with what it characterized as defensive operations intended to protect civilians and establish a security perimeter. The claims concerning responsibility for Thursday’s fighting and reported civilian casualties could not immediately be independently verified. Kanyuka’s account represents AFC/M23’s version of events and comes amid continuing accusations and counter-accusations between the parties.
Recent fighting has underscored the fragility of the peace process. AFC/M23 has previously accused Congolese-aligned forces of drone and aerial attacks against populated areas around Minembwe, allegations that international reporting noted could not independently be confirmed.
The growing confrontation over universities adds a civilian and institutional dimension to a conflict already marked by displacement, competing administrations and prolonged insecurity. AFC/M23 argues that keeping universities operational is essential to preventing young Congolese from becoming another casualty of the political crisis, stating in its August 26 communiqué that the continuity of education can serve as a source of “stability, social cohesion and reconstruction” in a region affected by decades of conflict.
With Kinshasa and AFC/M23 simultaneously participating in internationally supported negotiations and will remain an important test of whether recent diplomatic progress can translate into reduced hostilities and greater protection for innocent civilians. For students and academic personnel caught between the competing authorities, the immediate concern is more fundamental: whether education can continue without becoming another casualty of eastern Congo’s prolonged liberation war.
