A decision by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Council of Administration of Universities (CAU) directing final-year medical students from the University of Goma (UNIGOM) to defend their doctoral theses in Butembo has sparked criticism in North Kivu, with students, parents, and civil society questioning the rationale behind the move and the silence of the province’s elected leaders.
An official letter dated July 20, 2026, signed by CAU Acting President Prof. Maalu-Bungi, instructs the Catholic University of Graben (UCG) in Butembo to organize the jury for fourth-year medical students from the University of Goma to defend their dissertations.
The directive cites instructions from the Ministry of Higher and University Education (ESURS) and references Ministerial Circular No. 013 of April 11, 2025.
Copies of the correspondence were also sent to the Minister of Higher and University Education, the ministry’s Secretary General, the Permanent Secretary of the CAU, and the Rector of the University of Goma.
The directive has fueled frustration among many residents of Goma, who argue that it imposes unnecessary financial and logistical hardships on students and families already struggling under the weight of years of armed conflict and economic instability.
Parents who have sacrificed to finance their children’s education now face additional transport, accommodation, and administrative costs, despite the University of Goma continuing to operate.
Political commentator Patrick Mundeke described the decision as another blow to a city that has endured decades of insecurity, arguing that citizens should not be forced to pay for the state’s institutional shortcomings.
“The inability of the state to fully exercise its authority cannot be financed by citizens,” he said, insisting that the people of Goma should not bear the consequences of decisions made in Kinshasa.
Mundeke also criticized what he called the “deafening silence” of North Kivu’s national deputies and senators, arguing that elected representatives have a duty to defend the interests of the communities that sent them to Parliament.
“They were elected to protect their province, defend students and parents, and ensure that state decisions are fair, coherent, and respectful of citizens,” he argued.
He further questioned the justification for relocating the thesis defenses if the same professors are expected to serve on the examination panel in Butembo, saying such a decision merely duplicates procedures while imposing avoidable human, financial, and logistical costs on students.
For many observers, the controversy extends beyond higher education. It has become a symbol of what they see as the growing disconnect between national decision-makers and the realities faced by communities in eastern Congo, where conflict continues to disrupt everyday life.
Critics stress that Goma is not asking for special treatment but for equal treatment under the law, arguing that students should be allowed to complete their academic requirements at their own university if it remains functional.
As criticism mounts, authorities have yet to publicly explain why the thesis defenses cannot be held in Goma or respond to concerns over the additional burden the directive places on students and their families.