The resurgence of urban insecurity in Kinshasa: a dark hand at work?
In recent times, the city of Kinshasa has been facing a worrying increase in urban insecurity, marked by kidnappings. This worrying situation comes just six months from the general elections and a few weeks from the organization of the Games of La Francophonie, scheduled between the end of July and the beginning of August of this year.
The Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ) evokes the hypothesis of a “black hand” which would be at work to sabotage the holding of these two major events. According to the president of the ACAJ, Georges Kapiamba, this resurgence of insecurity is linked to the Mobondo militia, which sows terror in the Grand Bandundu area and part of the city of Kinshasa.
But this “black hand” could also be motivated by more political intentions. Indeed, the government fears that certain hostile forces will seek to disrupt the elections and the Games of La Francophonie. “Laboratories” would thus be at work to create a situation of insecurity which would compromise the holding of these events.
Faced with this situation, the provincial government of Kinshasa has taken measures to combat this growing insecurity. Mixed patrols with different security services will be carried out, and checkpoints will be set up to track down the uncivil.
Efforts have also been made to identify and arrest the alleged perpetrators of these criminal acts. Dozens of suspects, including armed civilians and police, were apprehended and brought to justice. Some convictions have even been pronounced, going as far as the death penalty.
However, despite these measures, insecurity persists and the population remains concerned. Kidnappings continue to occur, jeopardizing the stability of the city and the trust of citizens.
It is therefore crucial that the authorities put in place effective strategies to deal with this situation and guarantee the safety of the population. Cooperation between the security services, the improvement of the socio-professional conditions of the security forces and the fight against impunity are all necessary measures to restore confidence and ensure the holding of the elections as well as the Games of La Francophonie in a climate more serene.
In conclusion, the resurgence of urban insecurity in Kinshasa raises many questions as to its origin and motivations. If the track of the Mobondo militia seems to be considered, it is also possible that a “black hand” seeks to sabotage the elections and the Games of La Francophonie. It is crucial that the authorities take concrete measures to guarantee the safety of the population and the smooth running of these important events.