Title: Sylvano Kasongo: a mixed record at the head of the Kinshasa provincial police
Introduction :
Since taking office in July 2017, Sylvano Kasongo has become a central figure in the Kinshasa provincial police. However, his career in this position has not been without controversy. While his predecessor, General Célestin Kanyama, was able to deal with the Kuluna phenomenon and win the approval of the people of Kinshasa, Kasongo disappointed with his handling of the growing insecurity in the Congolese capital. This article will examine in detail the actions and results of Sylvano Kasongo as Kinshasa’s police chief.
A more political than security approach:
As soon as he came to power, Sylvano Kasongo was criticized for his tendency to favor a political rather than a security approach. Rather than focusing his efforts on combating crime and insecurity, Kasongo has focused more on suppressing demonstrations of political opposition to the Kabila regime. This orientation has left the people of Kinshasa distraught in the face of the worsening security situation in the city.
The return of the Kuluna phenomenon and the emergence of abductions:
Under Kasongo, the population of Kinshasa has unfortunately seen the resurgence of the Kuluna phenomenon, gangs of young delinquents responsible for numerous acts of violence in the city. At the same time, a new scourge has emerged: kidnappings. Day and night, the inhabitants of Kinshasa were confronted with this alarming phenomenon, with the sad reality that some police officers themselves were involved in these crimes. Kasongo has failed to stem these problems, leaving the population to live in constant fear.
A mixed record and a call for succession:
In view of these failures, the replacement of Sylvano Kasongo as head of the Kinshasa provincial police was welcomed by many observers. Indeed, a seven-year record marked by rising insecurity and unresolved issues speaks to the need for change in this key position. Succession is thus essential as an inevitable solution to put an end to an unsatisfactory situation and generate real actions to guarantee the safety of Kinshasa people.
Conclusion :
Sylvano Kasongo will have marked his time at the head of the Kinshasa provincial police with a more political than security approach, leaving the problems of insecurity to worsen in the Congolese capital. The returns of the Kuluna phenomenon and the kidnappings have accentuated the feeling of disappointment of the population. Faced with this mixed assessment, the recent changeover marks a new opportunity to restore the security and confidence of the people of Kinshasa in their police forces