The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has suspended, until further notice, academic and extracurricular activities in 11 public higher education institutions located in Goma (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu), two cities currently under the control of the AFC/M23, due to the security situation.
According to a report from DRC government, the measure was taken by the Minister of Higher Education, University Studies, Scientific Research, and Innovation Sombo Ayanne Safi Mukuna Marie-Thérèse, in a ministerial decree dated August 20, 2026.
The decree concerns the 2026-2027 academic year, in which it suspends in particular, registrations, re-registrations, teaching, assessments, and deliberations in the affected institutions.
The Ministry justifies this decision by citing the “particularly worrying security situation” prevailing in the cities of Goma and Bukavu, while also mentioning the need to guarantee the safety of students and staff, as well as the validity of academic degrees awarded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The five universities that are affected in Goma include: University of Goma (UNIGOM), Higher Institute of Commerce (ISC-Goma) , Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM-Goma) , Higher Institute of Applied Techniques (ISTA-Goma) , Higher Pedagogical Institute (ISP-Goma) and Six establishments suspended in Bukavu
In Bukavu for instance, six institutions are targeted by this decision including , Official University of Bukavu (UOB), Higher Institute of Commerce (ISC-Bukavu) , Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM-Bukavu), Higher Pedagogical Institute (ISP-Bukavu), Higher Institute of Rural Development (ISDR-Bukavu), and Higher Institute of Administration and Management (ISAM-Bukavu).
The decree does, however, make an exception for graduating students from the 2025-2026 academic year whose studies could not be completed. They are authorized to submit their assessments or undertake the academic activities necessary to finalize their training within public or private institutions whose authorities are legally established by the Democratic Republic of Congo or duly constituted. The Government also affirms that it is maintaining constant monitoring of the evolving security situation in order to consider resuming academic activities as soon as conditions permit.
