Approximately 423 candidates, including 29 women, took the entrance exam for military academies

Kinshasa, December 27, 2025 - Approximately 423 candidates, including 29 women, took the entrance exam for military academies across the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kisangani.

Over two days, candidates were tested in French, English, general knowledge, mathematics, and specialized subjects.

According to Deputy Senior Military Auditor Major Magistrate Feinto Kabuya Mwadiamvita, successful candidates will have the choice between the Special Academy and the Ordinary Academy, with training lasting 9 months for the former and 3 years for the latter.

Training will be conducted in Kinshasa, Kitona (Kongo-Central Province), or Kananga (Kasai-Central Province). The exams are overseen by Brigadier General Bertin Mfutela, commander of the training centers.

More than 372 young people took the national entrance exam on Saturday, December 27, for military academy admission and military studies. Tests were held at Saint Pierre Dibua dia Buakane Episcopal College in the Kanshi district, following an opening ceremony by the provincial governor, who commended the courage of the candidates in light of aggression from neighboring Rwanda.

The recruitment officer for the 21st Military Region stated that the top candidates will be shortlisted to study in Kananga, the capital of Kasai Central province.

The latter half of December 2025 finds the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a state of profound complexity, where significant economic progress and humanitarian efforts are overshadowed by a volatile security landscape and shifting regional geopolitics.

Security and Geopolitics: The fall and subsequent disputed withdrawal of AFC/M23 from the strategic city of Uvira has fundamentally altered the regional power balance. While the rebel group claims a tactical withdrawal in support of peace processes, the Congolese government remains skeptical, viewing these moves as calculated diversions backed by Rwanda. The resulting closure of borders with Burundi has triggered a severe economic shock for the neighbor and left thousands of Congolese refugees in dire humanitarian conditions.

Internal Political Tensions: Domestically, the arrest of senior opposition figure Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary has drawn international criticism, notably from Belgium, and risks further polarizing the political environment at a time when national unity is critical for addressing eastern aggression.

Economic Resilience vs. Human Cost: Paradoxically, while the IMF reports resilient GDP growth exceeding 5% and stabilized inflation, the everyday reality for many Congolese is defined by tragedy and displacement. Deadly shipwrecks, chronic cholera outbreaks in refugee camps, and forced civilian marches in occupied territories highlight the severe human cost of ongoing instability.

Governance and Reform Efforts: Amidst these crises, the government continues to push for structural reforms. Initiatives like the roadmap for human rights in the mining sector, the modernization of public services, and strategic partnerships for digital finance (e.g., Rawbank and Visa) signal a long-term commitment to state efficiency and economic formalization.

Ultimately, the report underscores that while the DRC is making strides in macro-economic stability and governance reform, its future stability hinges on the effective implementation of peace agreements and the restoration of state authority in the East. Without a verifiable cessation of hostilities and a reduction in political friction, the human and social development of the Congolese people remains precarious