** Goma: Between rumors and reality, the return to school at the heart of a security crisis **
While the Goma school bell has come again this Thursday, the echoes of fears and uncertainties still hover in the air. The city, already marked by exacerbated tensions due to the presence of a rebellious movement in the region, found itself plunged into panic after disturbing allegations concerning an alleged “forced recruitment” of young students by the rebels of the M23.
### A legitimate concern
The testimonies collected tears a little from this chaotic daily life. Irenge Habamungu, a student traumatized by ambient anxiety, evokes a situation where the survival instinct quickly took precedence over education. Parents, in this atmosphere of suspicion, rushed to recover their children, thus illustrating solidarity but also a manifest vulnerability faces to rumors which, although not verified, had a devastating impact on the educational community.
Although the mayor of Goma, Katembo Julien, categorically denied the veracity of these accusations, claiming that “the place of a child is at school”, the shock wave caused by these rumors cannot be minimized. This situation is reminiscent of other educational crises in the world, where the fear of kidnapping or violence by armed groups has pushed many parents to keep their children at home.
### History and context
The M23, supported by Rwanda, rekindled painful memories by reinstating fear among those who lived the previous wars. Recent events in Goma not only highlight the imperative of security, but also the fragility of an education system already weakened by years of conflict. Insecurity has intensified with a significant increase in kidnappings and armed flights, as indicated by the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Schools, traditionally seen as sanctuaries, risk becoming melee places if insecurity persists.
### Perception in the face of reality
The feelings of parents and teachers in Goma arouses questions about the perception of armed conflicts in an overinformed world. In the era of social networks, rumors can cross borders faster than proven fact, amplifying feelings and strengthening fear. The authorities, weakened by internal and external factors, find themselves taken in a delicate game, having both appeased the fears of the population while maintaining a form of public order.
It is also essential to explore motivations behind such recruitments. One of the residents suggested that “reaching the army is above all a personal choice”, which raises elements of discussion on socio-economic motivations. In many regions where the future opportunities are limited, the choice to join an armed group can be perceived by some young people as an escape.
### alternatives to consider
In such a complex context, it becomes crucial to explore soothing solutions. The international community and local players must re -mobilize their efforts to offer not only secure education, but also youth integration projects that provide concrete alternatives to the military designs of armed groups.
Education is not only a right, but also a way of hope for the future. Investments in school security as well as awareness programs for parents and students will have to be amplified. This could be accompanied by the establishment of partnerships with NGOs that work in the field to secure these learning spaces while offering young people out of conflicts.
### Conclusion
The situation in Goma must push us to reflect on the resilience of peoples in the face of adversity. It is only by uniting, by fighting fear through knowledge and education, that communities will be able to regain possession of their future. Rumors and reality are intertwined in this region, but a step forward towards peace begins with the ardent desire to protect children, so that they are, tomorrow, the builders of a future rid of the specter of violence.