** Enrollment of students in military reserves: an initiative at the crossroads of societal and political paths in the DRC **
On March 10, in Kisangani, a recruitment campaign for reservists of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) aroused considerable enthusiasm among students from several TSHOPO university establishments. This rallying to the military cause, encouraged by the Minister of Higher and University Education, Marie Thérèse Sombo, challenges not only on relations between education and defense, but also on the socio -political implications of such an initiative.
The students, represented by their spokesperson, expressed their willingness to defend the fatherland, thus part of an act of patriotism which, for some, could be perceived as a response to a crisis of national identity and to dissatisfaction with the security situation of the country. Indeed, recent speeches around the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity highlight the importance of citizen engagement in the defense of the nation.
### A dynamic of patriotism
Student approval towards this recruitment project can be interpreted as a strong sign of patriotism, but also as a reaction to a climate of insecurity and political instability. Young people, often on the front line of the struggles for change, seem here to channel their energy towards a movement deemed constructive. Despite the support expressed by Marie Thérèse Sombo on the role of the University as a bastion of intellectual resistance, it is crucial to question the true motivation that animates these young people: is it a sincere momentum of defense of the fatherland or a need to find a meaning and a commitment in a society where the opportunities seem limited?
### Supervised training: a necessity
The words of Pierre Kibaka, a human rights activist, raise an essential problem: the organization and quality of the training that will be provided to reservist students. Indeed, such an initiative requires adapted structures to ensure not only military discipline, but also the physical and mental well-being of the committed. The question of reservists’ supervision must be at the center of the concerns of the authorities, in order to avoid creating an army of disillusioned young people, disappointed by poorly managed experience.
On the comparative level, other countries like Canada or France have succeeded in establishing models of military reserves which engage young people, but with rigorous supervision and a real investment in their training. Just question the possibility of a similar model in the DRC.
### University and Defense: A revealing link
The Minister’s speech underlines the importance of the university as a pillar of national defense. This consideration deserves to be reflected in depth. Isn’t the university through training and scholarship also the first line of defense against ignorance, radicalization and division? In this sense, should students not be encouraged to invest their skills in the reconstruction of the country’s social and economic fabrics rather than projecting themselves directly to war?
### Reflections on the student world
In parallel, it is good to consider the impact of this initiative on university life and the future of young people. Some analysts fear that these military commitments will divert students from their academic curriculum, creating a conflict between their professional aspirations and a patriotic commitment which could prove to be dominant. According to UNESCO data, university abandonment rates are already worrying in several regions of the DRC. By integrating national defense into their journeys, a large part of the students could see their potential not exploited, and their training compromised.
### Conclusion: a choice to preserve
The enrollment of students in the military reserves of the FARDC raises a rich panel of reflections on the role of education, patriotism and civic engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While applauding the initiative of a generation ready to defend your homeland, it is essential to start a dialogue on the supervision, training and real motivations that lead this youth towards determining choices for their future and that of the nation. The real intellectual resistance advocated by the Minister must be accompanied by a collective reflection on the sense of service to the fatherland, a service that hires to think as much as to act.
Ultimately, for this dynamic to be really fruitful, it will be necessary to erect solid bridges between academic training and patriotic engagement, in order to sculpt responsible, conscious and enlightened citizens. The question that remains is the following: does the DRC have the means to support its young people towards this commitment in all responsibility? The answers to this question will determine the success or failure of this initiative.