**Fatshimetrie – December 17, 2024**
**IFA Yangambi students: when the protest degenerates**
The tension was palpable at the Yangambi Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (IFA Yangambi) on Monday, December 16. The students, exasperated by the teachers’ persistent strike, expressed their discontent in a particularly violent manner. What should have been the start of exams for many of them turned into a day of chaos and destruction.
The protests quickly degenerated, with students setting tires on fire, blocking the road and disrupting traffic. Within the institution, the unrest intensified, with acts of vandalism targeting the institutional minibus, government offices and even the dispensary. Computers from related services were destroyed, symbolizing an unexpected escalation of violence.
Faced with this situation, the police had to intervene to restore calm, using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. The toll is heavy, with considerable material damage and an atmosphere of tension that now reigns in the establishment.
The management committee of IFA Yangambi strongly condemned these acts of violence, emphasizing the disastrous consequences of these demonstrations. Professor Joël Osumbause, Secretary General of Research and Acting Rector, expressed his disappointment at the failure of negotiations with the striking professors. Despite efforts to find common ground, disputes persist, jeopardizing the academic year.
In an appeal for calm, the Secretary General stressed the importance of dialogue and consultation to resolve disputes. Investigations have been launched to determine the responsibilities and exact circumstances of this escalation of violence, with the aim of restoring order and serenity within the establishment.
This sad day at IFA Yangambi highlights the ongoing tensions between students and striking faculty, underscoring the urgency of a peaceful and balanced resolution of the conflicts. The path to reconciliation and the resumption of academic activities is long and difficult, but it is essential to preserve the stability and future of the institution.