In the busy streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a worrying reality is increasingly being talked about: the massive presence of street children, commonly known as “Shegués”. These young people, aged 6 to 15, roam the streets, living in extreme destitution and often committing criminal acts to survive.
At the intersection of Boulevard du 30 juin and Avenue Kasa-Vubu, a recent event revealed the tension surrounding this issue. A violent phone theft perpetrated by one of these Shegués sparked a reaction from the local population. The victim of this robbery quickly received support from passers-by, who surrounded the sewers where the thief had fled.
After an intense hunt, the thief and eight of his companions were extracted from the sewers and handed over to the authorities. Witnesses to the incident expressed their anger towards these young offenders, and acts of violence were committed against them until the police arrived.
This situation is unfortunately not new for the regulars of downtown Kinshasa. The Shegués are present in large numbers along the Boulevard du 30 juin, soliciting alms from motorists and taking advantage of every opportunity to commit thefts. At night, they impose their law and create a climate of insecurity for passers-by.
Faced with this reality, it is urgent to act to offer a better future to these children. The solutions are not simple, but they require collective awareness and concrete actions. It is essential to set up social assistance programs for the Shegués, offering financial, educational and psychological support. It is also essential to strengthen security measures, in collaboration with the authorities, to guarantee the safety of citizens and deter criminal acts.
Far from being inevitable, the situation of the Shegués in Kinshasa calls for general mobilization. Together, it is possible to change the destiny of these children, to offer them a chance to flourish and contribute positively to society