Democratic Republic of the Congo: Education International strongly condemns the escalation of violence
As violence intensifies in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the situation of those displaced worsens, Education International (EI) expresses its support for and solidarity with its member organisations in the country: the National Education and Scientific Research Union ( Centrale de l’Éducation Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique - CSC-Enseignement), the National Federation of Teachers of Congo ( Fédération nationale des enseignants du Congo - FENECO-UNTC), and the Teachers’ Union of Congo ( Syndicat des Enseignants du Congo - SYECO).
Education International is extremely concerned about the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the DRC, following the recent surge in fighting that has caused the deaths of thousands of people. More than 6 million people, including 2.6 million children, have now fled their homes and are forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. “Education International strongly condemns the escalation of violence and external interference in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Dennis Sinyolo, Director of EI’s Regional Office for Africa.
The violence and the mass displacement have particularly devastating consequences for the education system, for teachers and students, severely disrupting teaching and learning in the region. According to UNICEF, the conflict has led to the closure of more than 2,500 schools and learning institutions in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu and in camps for displaced persons. Currently, 1.6 million children are out of school in the region.
Responding to a request for support from its Congolese affiliates – CSC-Enseignement, FENECO-UNTC, and SYECO, Education International has assured them of its full support to help them cope with the acute crisis in the region. “We reaffirm our commitment to peace, democracy, and respect for fundamental human rights, including the right to quality education in a safe environment,” said EI General Secretary David Edwards.
Emergency financial aid has been released from EI’s solidarity fund to enable the trade unions to maintain their activities in the region and to provide essential aid to union members directly affected by the conflict. “Our most ardent wish is for the war to end once and for all so that our efforts to educate all children can succeed, and so that salaries can increase for all our teachers who are devastated by the war,” stated Augustin Tumba Nzuji, General Secretary of the FENECO-UNTC.
David Edwards also addressed a request to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to demand firm and immediate action in connection with the peacekeeping mandate of this regional body. EI has advocated for a coordinated approach between various regional and international bodies for genuine diplomatic and financial engagement to restore peace and security in eastern DRC. EI emphasised the importance of preserving the right to education, protecting schools and all educational institutions from attacks, and ensuring the safety of teachers and students, in accordance with the Safe Schools Declaration and other international standards.
