Kisangani, October 22nd, 2026 (CPA).- Students from universities and higher education institutions in Kisangani were mobilized on Thursday to take part in a peaceful march scheduled for Saturday, during a meeting with the governor of Tshopo, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the CPA reported.
“We must march to say no to war, to support the institutions of the Republic and to send a message to the international community: the Congolese no longer want war or to see bloodshed, but want to move forward with democracy,” said Paulin Lendongolia, the provincial governor.
This discussion enabled the head of the provincial executive to explain to the students the reasons behind the planned march, against a backdrop of armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He emphasized the defense of national sovereignty and respect for the constitutional mechanisms for assuming power.
“Our Constitution provides for mechanisms enabling Congolese people to participate in the running of the country.
Why seek to overthrow the institutions by force of arms, when elections are the path laid down by the Constitution?”, he asked.Addressing the national political situation, the governor reaffirmed his support for the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.
Paulin Lendongolia also spoke of the consequences of the armed conflicts in Kisangani, notably the ‘three-day’ and ‘six-day’ wars, in order to raise students’ awareness of the risks of a resumption of violence. He called on them to help preserve peace and to remain collectively vigilant.
“A bullet does not choose its victims. We do not know who might be affected should the war resume. We must therefore protect our city and our country from violence,” he emphasized.
The provincial authority also urged students to report any suspicious behavior to university officials, as part of the defense of the homeland.
Regarding the organization of the march, he gave assurances that measures to prevent the spread of Ebola would be observed, in particular the restriction of physical contact, and called on people from all walks of life to take part in this civic mobilization. ACP/