Securing the elections in Ituri: Strengthening the capacities of law enforcement
It is essential to ensure security during elections, especially in regions such as Ituri which are faced with insecurity caused by armed groups. It is in this context that more than 50 Congolese police officers were recently trained in Bunia with the aim of strengthening their operational capacities to guarantee security during the next elections.
The training workshop, organized in collaboration with the UNPOL section of MONUSCO and funded by UNDP, allowed participants to become aware of the challenges they will face and to familiarize themselves with best practices in securing elections. General Didier Kitumaini, head of the thematic group for elections, underlined the importance of this training and encouraged the police to capitalize on the knowledge acquired in order to perform their duty effectively.
It is essential to put in place robust security measures to guarantee the smooth running of the elections in Ituri. The security forces play a crucial role in this mission, by ensuring the protection of polling stations, the securing of sensitive areas and the prevention of acts of violence. Their continuous training and skills upgrading are therefore key elements in ensuring peaceful and democratic elections.
This capacity building initiative is not limited to Ituri, but also extends to the provinces of South Kivu and North Kivu, where the security situation is equally worrying. By providing law enforcement with the necessary knowledge and tools, we can hope for significant progress in ensuring election security throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Securing elections is a major challenge for stability and democracy in the DRC. By investing in training and building the capacity of law enforcement, we are creating the conditions for free, fair and transparent elections. However, it is also important to stress that security cannot be provided by law enforcement alone. The participation and active cooperation of citizens, political actors and civil society are also essential to guarantee the success of this electoral process.
In conclusion, securing elections in Ituri and throughout the DRC is a major challenge. However, by investing in the training and capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promoting citizen participation and encouraging cooperation among all relevant actors, we can create an environment conducive to peaceful and democratic elections