MEEC council opposes student body suspension
The Council of Elders of the Movement of Students and Pupils of Congo rejects the interim executive's suspension by the higher education ministry.
Brazzaville: The Council of Elders of the Movement of Students and Pupils of Congo (MEEC) opposed on November 9 the suspension of the national executive bureau's activities. The Ministry of Higher Education had decided to suspend the bureau's operations at Marien-Ngouabi University.
The Council of Elders stated it received with dismay the November 4 communiqué ordering the suspension, calling the decision arbitrary and a violation of fundamental freedoms. The council argued that no law grants the minister power to suspend student associations, asserting only judicial authorities can do so.
The MEEC Council of Elders has rejected the suspension as void and demanded its immediate withdrawal. They have contacted the Senate president, National Assembly president, and Prime Minister. The council also called for student mobilization and announced the MEEC national council will convene after teachers' strike ends.
Why it mattersStudents and pupils in the Republic of Congo face disruption to their association's activities and representation.