The Kongolo region, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is affected by practices of harassment on the part of certain state agents, an alarming situation denounced by the Mashangao Lugunda foundation. Road users are forced to pay exorbitant sums at barriers erected by various services, such as the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), the police and the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). These illegal practices, which consist of asking for money in exchange for passage, constitute a loss of revenue for the public treasury and hinder the free movement of people.
The president of the Mashangao Lugunda foundation denounced this situation during an intervention on Fatshimetrie, highlighting specific incidents such as the establishment of a barrier on the Nyunzu axis in Sayi, where travelers are forced to present a token, a voter card and pay a large sum to continue their journey. Likewise, DGM agents in Pangi carry out excessive levies at the three bridges on this same route, penalizing all passengers.
Faced with these accusations, the provincial Minister of the Interior of Tanganyika recognized the existence of these abuses and promised measures to remedy them. These actions harm the image of state services and taint citizens’ trust in local authorities. It is urgent to put an end to these illegal practices and to guarantee safety and respect for the rights of users on the roads in Kongolo territory.
It is therefore imperative that the competent authorities take firm measures to put an end to these actions and ensure the proper functioning of public services. State agents are there to serve and protect the population, not to exploit them. It is time to restore citizen confidence and promote transparency and justice in the exercise of public functions.
The situation in Kongolo is indicative of the challenges that many regions of the DRC face in terms of good governance and respect for citizens’ rights. It is essential that these issues are addressed seriously and that concrete actions are taken to put an end to these practices which are harmful to the well-being and development of the country as a whole.
Fatshimetrie will continue to closely monitor the development of this matter and inform its listeners of the actions taken to remedy it. Transparency and accountability must guide the actions of authorities to enable all citizens to live with dignity and security in their country.