© Getty Images – Pascal Deloche
Congolese students may not be able to travel to France where they are enrolled at university, for lack of having received a passport to leave Congo, at the beginning of September 2022.
Several dozen Congolese students run the risk of missing the 2022-2023 academic year, which takes place on September 1 in many French universities where they were able to obtain their pre-registration. For good reason, the Congolese immigration services are unable to issue them passports, for lack of cards.
Brazzaville Prefecture Square which houses the immigration services. The sun is at its zenith. The crowd of young students is impressive. Suddenly, a police patrol vehicle arrives to disperse them.
« We don’t want to see you here today », Says a police officer to them. The day before, according to concordant testimonies, their dispersal took place with a little violence.
These students are helpless. Despite the enlistment, their passports are still not ready, while they are urgently expected in their schools in France.
« My return is September 1st. Public schools do not allow waivers. I was asked to show up on September 12 at the latest. However, I have not yet made my appointment at the French Embassy. It’s a complicated problem for me complains a student. ” It’s over for us. Personally, my return to school is September 5. It is very likely that I miss the trip because of the passport, as I enlisted and paid money at the cash desk. It is not normal “storms another.
Contacted, a source at immigration mentions the stock shortage of boxes. An argument that does not convince students who suspect acts of corruption.
« We were there yesterday and we saw someone walk out with a regular passport that had just been issued to him. “, denounces another student on condition of anonymity.
The breaking of passport boxes is a common phenomenon in the Congo. It is often due to late payment from suppliers.