Title: Street children in Kinshasa: the hunt continues
Introduction :
This scene which took place this morning of Saturday July 8 in Kinshasa is unfortunately more and more frequent. Street children, commonly known as “shegués”, continue to sow terror in the Congolese capital. The violent theft of a phone sparked a real manhunt that ended with the arrest of nine shegués aged 10 to 14. But this situation raises questions about the causes of the massive presence of these children in the streets of Kinshasa and about the solutions to be provided to put an end to this scourge.
The persistent problem of the shegués in Kinshasa:
For several years, the inhabitants of Kinshasa have lived in fear and insecurity caused by the presence of the shegués in the streets of the capital. These children, aged 6 to 15, operate in groups and commit thefts, assaults and acts of violence. They mainly target distracted passers-by or motorists stopped at red lights. Their “base” is often in the sewers, which makes it difficult to arrest them.
Devastating consequences:
The presence of the shegués has devastating consequences for Congolese society. In addition to spreading terror in the streets, these children are exposed to many dangers such as sexual exploitation, violence and abuse. They do not benefit from adequate care and are deprived of their fundamental rights. Moreover, their presence in the streets is an obstacle to traffic and economic activity, which has a negative impact on the development of Kinshasa.
Actions to take:
Faced with this alarming situation, it is essential to put in place concrete measures to combat the phenomenon of shegués in Kinshasa. First of all, it is essential to strengthen security in the neighborhoods in order to dissuade these street children. Law enforcement must intensify their patrols and control operations. In addition, it is essential to raise public awareness of the dangers of the exploitation of children and the importance of offering them alternative solutions, such as education and social reintegration.
Conclusion :
The hunt for the shegués in Kinshasa this morning highlights the urgency of acting to put an end to this scourge which threatens the security and development of the Congolese capital. It is essential to combine reinforced security actions with awareness-raising measures and to offer alternative solutions to provide a better future for these children. Only in this way will the people of Kinshasa be able to find peace and hope for a better future