AFRICA/CONGO DR - Students in revolt in Kinshasa

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - “The situation is not yet under control because it is still marked by clashes,” say sources of Fides from the local Church in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republis of Congo, where a revolt by students from the Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN) is being held.
“The revolt occurred after the body of a university student was found, hanging from a tree to stage a suicide, but it turned out there was a bullet in his body” explain Fides sources who for security reasons cannot be named. “The students, who denounce the serious situation of insecurity on the university campus, reacted in a violent manner, burning some cars, various university offices, the rector's residence and a building under construction owned by the Prime Minister, Adolphe Munito.”
“The police force reacted, even using firearms. According to some sources at least two people were killed by 'stray' bullets. Other sources say the death toll ranged from eight to 12. The students have long been distrustful of the police because they do not guarantee their safety. Until recently, the campus was equipped with its own security service, consisting of unarmed guards. After the killing of a student, this security force was replaced by armed police. Students saw this as a provocation and an aggravation of insecurity,” say our sources.
According to the Congolese press, during the incidents some common criminals could have infiltrated, taking advantage of the chaos to commit looting. “Beyond the relative issue of safety, the revolt by students comes from a deep discomfort about the lack of structures and disorganisation of the public university,” concludes the sources of Fides. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 14/1/2011)