** Kisangani in turmoil: IBTP students in the face of authority and political uncertainty **
On Thursday, March 13, the studious serenity of the Higher Institute of Buildings and Public Works (IBTP) of Kisangani was brutally troubled by scuffles between students and police. This climate of tension, triggered by the controversial arrest of the academic secretary general of the establishment in Kinshasa, underlines a situation which goes far beyond a simple local conflict: it is a disturbing reflection of the dynamics of power, the accumulated frustrations and increasing concerns among the Congolese youth in the face of institutions often deemed opaque and repressive.
From the first hours of the demonstration, the students barricaded the Boulevard on June 30 and set fire to the roadway, a symbolic act of despair that many will recognize as a rallying cry in the face of authorities deemed deaf to their complaints. Such actions raise essential questions about the way youth perceives their academic, political and social environment. Indeed, students represent the future of any nation, and their dissatisfaction must be heard in a country like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where governance issues are as crucial as educational questions.
The incidents of violence that followed, where the police used tear gas and summons, are symptomatic of an authoritarian approach to dispute. The testimony of Charles Volopala, representative of teachers, also raises concerns about the behavior of certain police officers, who seem to have taken advantage of the confusion to commit acts of looting. This perception of abuse indicates a break in trust between the security forces and the educational community. This climate of suspicion and anxiety is amplified by state violence, which often stifles public debate and the right to demonstration.
Tensions within the IBTP are not isolated. Throughout the country, academic institutions have served as a springboard for protest movements often led by students wishing to express their dissatisfaction with learning conditions deemed precarious and a lack of political engagement on the part of their leaders. These realities have often been fueled by a persistent economic crisis, where young graduates are struggling to find outlets.
However, this situation is also part of a broader framework of political and sociological analyzes. Indeed, the emergence of youth as a challenge has been observed in many African countries and constitutes a searched field of study. Popular protest movements, often animated by the student layer, recall the historical periods when youth played a catalyst role during major political transitions. From South Africa during apartheid to uprisings of the Arab Spring, students were often on the front line, instilling strength and dynamism with wider struggles.
The reaction of the IBTP administrative secretary general, Willy Osako, who calls for serenity, is a commendable initiative. However, it is imperative that the authorities take concrete measures to restore confidence. The commitment to free Delphin Luka, whose arrest is a source of concern, will not be enough alone. Authorities must start a constructive dialogue with actors in the academic community, and approach the real concerns of students.
It is also essential to transparency and to account for the reasons underlying these arrests, which can be perceived as repercussions of internal struggles in higher education institutions. When a climate of uncertainty reigns, institutional fragility becomes manifest, further fueling dissatisfaction and anger.
It is clear that the events that occurred on March 13 in Kisangani should not be just a simple footnote in the history of student demonstrations in Africa. They reveal the underlying tensions within a system in search of reforms. IBTP students, and other similar institutions, face a challenge they have chosen to take up, armed with legitimate demands for quality education and a better future.
In short, the path to a fruitful dialogue and a mutual understanding will be difficult, but it is crucial. Congolese youth deserves not only to be heard, but also to be integrated into the decision -making process that shapes their future. Kisangani’s events could very well be the tip of the iceberg of a larger change of change, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to take proactive measures to break the cycle of violence and build a more collaborative and respectful future of the rights of citizens.