06 Aug 2017 | 05:25 PM UTC
DRC: University of Kinshasa teachers to strike August 7
The University of Kinshasa teachers’ union is planning to start an indefinite strike on August 7; protests possible in Kinshasa
Event
The Association of Professors of the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) teacher union is planning to start an indefinite strike on Monday, August 7. Teachers are demanding that their salaries be readjusted based on the market exchange rate of Congolese francs (CF) to United States dollars (USD). Union leader are also calling for the election of university officials by September 15, as part of an agreement signed in 2014 with the government. Protests may occur in Kinshasa after the start of the strike.
Context
According to media reports, government salaries are paid at a rate of 930 CF to 1 USD compared to the market rate of 1500 CF to 1 USD.
Tensions are high in the country after President Joseph Kabila refused to step down after his term expired in December 2016. Under a deal struck between the government and the opposition, elections were supposed to take place before the end of 2017. The government has repeatedly blamed both budgetary constraints and continued violence for delays in scheduling the election. In addition, insecurity linked to the presence of armed groups and corresponding military operations against them persists in the eastern and central areas of the country. Kasai, Kasai Central, and Kasai Oriental provinces have been wracked by violence, with ongoing clashes between the Kaminwa Nsapu militia and government forces. The security situation in eastern DRC, including North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, is also volatile as a result of numerous rebel groups and armed criminal gangs operating in the region. As the political process in Kinshasa stalls, grievances over socioeconomic and political conditions could exacerbate intercommunal violence throughout the country.
Advice
Individuals present in Kinshasa are advised to monitor local developments, to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and to avoid all rallies and demonstrations due to the risk of violence.
More generally, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country for various security reasons.
