Paramilitary training of students in Kisangani (Tshopo): a promising initiative for the future of the DRC
In a visionary move, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo launched an unprecedented initiative: paramilitary training of students. Around fifty students from different university institutions in North Kivu responded to the call and left Goma to reach Kisangani, where this one-month training will take place.
The Minister of Higher and University Education, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defense, kicked off this training last Thursday. The objective of this initiative is to call for the general mobilization of the Congolese people against the aggression of which the DRC is the victim. The trained students will thus become reservists of the national army, ready to defend their country if necessary.
This paramilitary training arouses great enthusiasm among students in North Kivu. When they left Goma, they displayed great motivation and palpable pride. One of them, an ISTA preparatory student, expressed his enthusiasm at the idea of embracing this training and serving his country. His morale is at its peak, ready to take on this new challenge.
This government initiative demonstrates a desire to invest in Congolese youth and offer them opportunities to train and contribute to the country’s development. Paramilitary training will give students additional skills and valuable experience. They will thus be able to reconcile their academic curriculum with their commitment as army reservists, making them committed and versatile citizens.
This pilot experiment, set up by the Sama government, opens new perspectives for the future of the DRC. It also shows the importance given to national security and territorial defense. By training reservists among students, the country has a reservoir of skills ready to act if necessary.
The paramilitary training of students in Kisangani therefore represents an important step forward for the Democratic Republic of Congo. It marks an evolution in the way we approach national security and shows that young Congolese have a role to play in the defense of their country. This promising initiative could well open the way to other training and engagement opportunities for Congolese youth.