AFC/M23 Deputy Permanent Secretary Delion Kimbulungu said that education is a right of students and that no leader should deprive them of this right.

The official said it was regrettable that young people in South Kivu Province, who had previously been deprived of opportunities to study because of insecurity, were now being denied this right at a time when security had returned.

The DRC government said it decided to close universities and higher learning institutions in Goma and Bukavu because of the prevailing security situation.

Kimbulungu said this was an outright lie, arguing that it is known by everyone that areas controlled by AFC/M23 in eastern DRC are more secure than they were before.

AFC/M23 also rejected the DRC government's decision to suspend the salaries of employees of universities and higher learning institutions in Goma and Bukavu, saying the decision had no basis whatsoever.

The coalition said it was difficult to understand why the DRC government continues to take decisions that worsen tensions shortly after representatives of the two sides met for peace talks in Switzerland.

AFC/M23 declared the DRC government's decision to close universities and higher learning institutions in Goma and Bukavu null and void, urging students to continue with their studies and lecturers to continue teaching.

The coalition said it was ready to cover all the costs required to ensure that universities and higher learning institutions in Goma and Bukavu operate properly, including paying their employees.

The DRC government's decision appeared to be a retaliatory measure, as it was strongly angered by AFC/M23's appointment of new administrators to lead these universities and higher learning institutions in the areas it controls.