Demonstrations for the return of peace continue. In Beni in particular, the students decided to spend the night in front of the town hall building to demand that the head of state be present in the region.
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Félix Tshisekedi had promised to move army personnel from Kinshasa to northern Kivu, and he had announced that he himself would come to settle in the region. This is what these young people remember in this movement that has been radicalized since Thursday 22 April.
Here the students organize themselves. Those who are considered the strongest stand guard. They are called brigadiers. They control the outputs and inputs.
The girls take care of the youngest school children, some of whom are eight years old. Others prepare the food that will soon be served. Today it will be rice and cassava leaves.
Miriam is fatherless. Her late father was a soldier. Like hundreds of other students, Miriam spends the night in front of Beni City Hall. She received permission from her mother, also depressed by insecurity, to participate in this movement.
“My mother says nothing because she supports me. She would like me to one day be able to study in an atmosphere of peace. I must be able to study well to finally become a great personality in this country ”.
To avoid catching a cold, other students surround the large fire that is lit in front of the building. Among them Jason. He will not leave here, he says, until the head of state finally decides to go to Beni.
“We have suffered enough. We go to school today so as not to study tomorrow because we have slaughtered or kidnapped people again. I’m coming here to City Hall. I will study here while I wait for the president to come to fulfill his promise. ”
Some tarpaulins placed, safety line in place. Christian songs and prayers to their lips, these students seem determined.
