A communiqué allegedly from the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) armed forces (FARDC) began circulating on social media on October 22, 2026, claiming to launch a special recruitment campaign targeting students aged 18-28 from universities. The announcement stated that the recruitment aimed to strengthen the army's ranks in the fight against rebel groups. However, the authenticity of the document was quickly questioned by many.
The announcement sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some users expressing outrage at the idea of students abandoning their studies to join the army. Others questioned the remuneration conditions and called on authorities to enlist their own children. The post garnered significant attention, with 41,600 views, 51 shares, and 358 comments on one social media platform. Many users criticized the alleged recruitment, with one commenting that it was a way to send young people to "the slaughterhouse."
To verify the authenticity of the communiqué, Eleza Fact contacted the FARDC's communication and information service, as well as the Ministry of Communication and Media. Both sources denied the announcement, stating that the FARDC had not launched a special recruitment campaign for students. The FARDC's spokesperson, Major General Sylvain Ekenge, released an official statement denying the claims and warning the public not to take the communiqué seriously.
The official denial stated that recruitment into the DRC's armed forces is done through a national competition, which had taken place in September 2026. The competition was for specialist positions, and candidates had to undergo a mandatory national exam. The FARDC urged the public not to be misled by the fake announcement, which was intended to cause confusion and harm the army's credibility.
The fake recruitment announcement was shared on several social media platforms, including a Facebook page with nearly 300,000 followers. The page, "Parlement des Etudiants RDC," posted the announcement on October 24, 2026, stating that the FARDC was recruiting students aged 18-28 to boost its ranks. However, the post was not verified, and the authenticity of the document was later disputed.
The situation highlights the security concerns in eastern DRC, where armed clashes have been ongoing in North and South Kivu. The region has been plagued by violence, affecting civilians and fueling concerns about the conflict's escalation. In this context, any announcement related to military activities and recruitment is closely monitored by the public.
The DRC's armed forces have been working to address security concerns in the region, including through a national competition for access to military schools held in September 2026. The competition aimed to recruit candidates for various training programs. However, the fake announcement has caused confusion and concern among students and the general public.
Key points
- The FARDC has denied a social media announcement claiming to recruit students aged 18-28 to boost its ranks.
- The announcement was deemed fake, and the FARDC urged the public not to take it seriously.
- Recruitment into the DRC's armed forces is done through a national competition, which had taken place in September 2026.
