Student Killed by Stray Bullet During Altercation at Kongo University

A medical student at Kongo University in Kisantu, Kongo Central province, has just died after being hit by a stray bullet during a confrontation between students and soldiers from the Republican Guard on April 26. The incident occurred a few days after the university campus had organized a wake for another student who drowned in the Inkisi River.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the growing concern about the use of military force to quell student protests and the need for authorities to address the root causes of unrest on university campuses. It also raises questions about the accountability of security forces and their role in maintaining public safety.

The Republican Guard soldiers, who were sent to provide security during the mourning period, attempted to disperse groups of students formed on campus that night. This led to a disagreement between the two parties, resulting in the soldiers opening fire. A student was seriously injured after being hit in the femur and pelvis by a stray bullet, according to the treating doctor at Saint Luc hospital. The student later succumbed to their injuries.

The incident has left the university community in shock. One student expressed their disbelief, saying, "We are truly shocked by the disappearance of our fellow student. We didn't expect it, we all knew everything would get better. Elements of the Republican Guard threatened us while we were paying last respects to another colleague who had died by drowning. Now their aggressiveness has cost the life of our dear comrade."

The victim was an L2 (LMD) medical student at Kongo University. The tragic incident took place on the university campus in Kisantu, located in the Madimba territory of Kongo Central province. It comes on the heels of another student's death by drowning in the nearby Inkisi River, for whom the wake was being held when the altercation with the Republican Guard occurred.

Key Takeaways

• Medical student dies after being hit by stray bullet during student-soldier confrontation.
• Incident occurred at Kongo University in Kisantu, Kongo Central province.
• Soldiers from Republican Guard opened fire to disperse students during mourning period.
• Student was hit in femur and pelvis, later succumbed to injuries.
• Incident sparks concern over use of military force on university campuses.