Category: Challenges

### Mbuji-Mayi: a step towards education, but persistent challenges

On March 3, 2025, Mbuji-Mayi celebrated the delivery of 300 school benches, an initiative of the national service aimed at improving the learning conditions in local schools. Although this gesture, symbolized by Lieutenant-General Jean-Pierre Kasongo Kabwik, is a bearer of hope, he raises questions about sustainability and long-term impact. Access to education in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains concern with an access rate of only 73%, aggravated by dilapidated infrastructure and a lack of equipment.

This endowment, designed in part by ex-Kulunas, testifies to a desire for social reintegration, but it is not alone in meeting the urgent needs of the education system. Community commitment and partnerships with NGOs are necessary to guarantee a true transformation of the educational landscape. While Mbuji-Mayi takes a first step, it is crucial to adopt a systemic approach to meet educational challenges and offer a better future to children in the region.

### The Panama Canal: a new geopolitical and economical deal

The recent acquisition of port infrastructure around the Panama Canal by a consortium led by Blackrock, for an amount of $ 22.8 billion, illustrates the intersection between business and geopolitics. While this transaction could reconfigure global trade routes and strengthen American influence against China, it also raises crucial questions concerning Panama’s sovereignty. Panamanian president José Raul Mulino said that the canal belongs to his country, thus pointing out resistance to American ambitions.

This situation places Panama at the heart of a fragile economic dynamic where investments could stimulate its development, but provided that the profits are not monopolized by the major powers. With a global economy in full change, this agreement could also become a test for BlackRock in terms of social responsibility and business ethics. At the crossroads, the Panama canal could well become a key indicator of international relations and economic power in the 21st century.

### The Kinshasa ring road: an infrastructure at the heart of urban challenges

The Kinshasa ring road, a 67 -kilometer project, is a solution to the chronic traffic jams of the Congolese capital. Initiated by President Félix Tshisekedi and financed by Sicomines, this infrastructure promises to streamline traffic and positively impact the economy. However, concerns about expropriations and respect for land rights raise crucial issues about social integration and town planning.

The success of the ring road will depend on an inclusive dialogue with the population, in order to guarantee a real appropriation of the project. In addition, the environmental dimension must be at the heart of concerns, drawing inspiration from sustainability models like that of Copenhagen. In short, the ring road is not just a simple road: it represents an opportunity to build a shared and sustainable future for Kinshasa, inviting a collective reflection on urban development in Africa.

** To a new educational breath in the DRC: the ratification of a key agreement **

On February 10, 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo crossed a decisive turning point by ratifying the Convention on Technical and Professional Education (ETP), a stage welcomed by UNESCO. In a country where unemployment of young people reaches heights, this decision opens the way to employment opportunities and better regional integration. By joining pioneering nations such as Benin and the United Arab Emirates, the DRC aspires to create a competitive education system on a global scale. This ratification is not limited to accession to funding and international recognition of diplomas; It could also reverse the perception of technical professions, valuing craft and professional work. However, for this progress to be transformed into a tangible reality, the government must commit to investing in infrastructure, training teachers and align study programs with market needs. The future of education in the DRC will depend on the strategic choices made today to proactively meet the educational challenges of tomorrow.

### Maniema: The Challenge of Roads in Rehabilitation

The province of Maniema in the Democratic Republic of Congo is at the heart of an ambitious project to rehabilitate 700 kilometers of roads, managed by the Rural, Inclusive and Resilient Development Support Program (PADRIR). Although crucial for the movement of goods and people, this project is facing funding delays that are causing concern among local communities. Alphonse Mata, PADRIR provincial coordinator, assures that the project will not be abandoned, but financial opacity and delays are exacerbating residents’ distrust of the authorities. A transparent dialogue, inspired by international examples such as that of Mozambique, could ease tensions and strengthen collective commitment. To transform these roads into real vectors of sustainable development, it is essential to integrate ecological and social initiatives, thus guaranteeing a better future for the inhabitants of Maniema. The road to a revitalized Maniema is fraught with obstacles, but commitment and collaboration could pave the way for promising prospects.

** Goma: Education, last glimmer of hope in a devastating conflict **

On February 10, 2024, Goma, in the heart of North Kivu, was impatiently awaiting the resumption of courses, after an interruption due to the violence between the FARDC and the M23. But while the spirit of hope struggles to impose itself, reality remains tinged with uncertainty and fear. The majority of schools remain closed, and parents hesitate to send their children, placing security before education. Teachers express a deep concern in the face of the precariousness of their working conditions, while nearly 2 million children in the DRC are impacting conflicts, education having become a luxury in this troubled region.

At the free university of the countries of the Great Lakes, the students feel an urgent desire to continue their studies, but the threat of chaos weighs heavily on their ambitions. Through innovative initiatives, such as “emergency schools” observed in Tanzania, a glimmer of hope emerges to maintain access to education. In a context where school is a refuge, Goma’s challenges highlight the urgency of guaranteeing a secure school environment conducive to learning. It is by uniting the efforts of the State, civil society and the international community that we can make education not only a right, but also a way to peace and prosperity for Congolese youth .

### Mayotte: a reconstruction challenge beyond storms

The reconstruction of Mayotte, ravaged by Cyclone Chido last December, became a glaring priority. The director of the Social Union for Overseas Housing, Sabrina Mathiot, underlines the challenges of an effective regeneration which goes beyond simple material construction. Indeed, among the fifty thousand damaged dwellings, a majority were already precarious, reflecting the structural vulnerability of the island. With a poverty rate exceeding 30%, Mahorais are faced with glaring inequalities.

Looking at the side of Martinique, which has learned the lessons from the Storm Maria, it is clear that Mayotte needs an integrated approach mixing town planning, social justice and political reform. The laws necessary for sustainable reconstruction exist, but their application remains unequal, hampered by limited resources.

To meet this challenge, it is essential to encourage stronger cooperation between the State, local communities and NGOs, while promoting local know-how. Beyond infrastructure, it is a social bond to rebuild to strengthen the resilience of the Mahorais in the future. The voice of Sabrina Mathiot is not only a cry of alert, but also a call to build a fairer and equitable mayotte together. By transforming this crisis into an opportunity for change, we can imagine a bright future for the island, far from the ravages of cyclones.

**Sara Duterte Impeachment: Revealing Political Turbulence in the Philippines**

The impeachment of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte highlights the internal tensions of an already fragile polity. Accused of assassination plots and financial irregularities, her situation illustrates the complex power dynamics inherited from a history marked by controversial leaders. While her coalition with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seemed promising, cracks have appeared, revealing rivals with outsized personal ambitions. In a context where physical threats symbolize the disintegration of civic-mindedness, the 215 deputies who supported the impeachment motion underline the apparent fragility of this unity. At a time when relations with powers like China complicate the picture, Philippine democracy is at a turning point: towards a necessary renewal or a repetition of past mistakes? Citizens are searching for answers about the country’s political direction, balancing on a tightrope between legacy and renewal.

### Strengthening Regional Security Debates in the DRC: The Ugandan Intervention and its Challenges

Uganda’s military intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since January 2025 raises serious questions about regional security. Faced with rising armed conflicts, particularly those involving the M23 rebel group, Uganda seeks to strengthen its defenses while protecting its own national interests. This dynamic illustrates complex strategic alliances and worrying humanitarian consequences, as civilians often find themselves trapped in the violence.

To break out of this cycle of conflict, it is essential to prioritize intercommunity dialogue, reforms, and sustainable peaceful solutions. The future of the region depends not only on an effective military response, but also on the commitment of all actors to genuine socio-political stability.

### The Three Chinese Case: A Revelator of Mining Challenges in the DRC

The trial of three Chinese for illegal mining in South Kivu highlights the complex issues of natural resource governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While the DRC is rich in mineral wealth valued at over $24 trillion, informal mining remains pervasive, leading to poverty and environmental degradation. The charges against these nationals highlight a system often perceived as unbalanced, where regulation is difficult to enforce. This trial could mark a turning point for the country, highlighting the urgent need for strict regulation and awareness-raising among Congolese youth on sustainability. More than just a legal case, the case symbolizes the systemic challenges the DRC must overcome to benefit from its wealth and ensure a better future for its population.