DR Congo suspends university activities in M23-controlled areas

Earlier this month, Congolese authorities criticized a series of what they called illegal appointments by the M23 to the management committees of several universities in areas under its control.(AFP) — DR Congo authorities on Wednesday ordered the suspension of activities at public universities in eastern areas controlled by the M23 armed group after condemning what they called illegal appointments at the institutions.The M23, backed by Rwanda, has seized large swaths of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces since 2021, including their capitals, Goma and Bukavu, early last year.The Congolese Higher Education Ministry, in a decree issued Wednesday, ordered a halt to “all academic activities until further notice” at state higher education institutions in Goma and Bukavu.The decree said the decision was prompted by “the need to prevent academic activities from being carried out outside the legal and institutional framework.”An M23 official later announced on X that a system was being set up to allow students to continue their studies.Earlier this month, Congolese authorities criticized a series of what they called illegal appointments by the M23 to the management committees of several universities in areas under its control.Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been mired in conflict for more than three decades, with myriad armed groups fighting over its mineral-rich territory.On Sunday, the Swiss government announced that the DRC and M23 had agreed on a road map for peace talks following negotiations in Switzerland.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads