Fatshimetrie, September 19, 2024 (Fatshi). – The city of Mbandaka, located in the Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, recently hosted an awareness-raising workshop on the reform of the Congolese National Police. This event aimed to inform and involve citizens in the legal framework of this reform and to promote effective collaboration between the police and society.
The Senior Commissioner of the Congolese National Police, Colonel Johnny Siadi, stressed the importance for the population to take ownership of this new legislative framework in order to ensure good collaboration with the police. He also expressed his gratitude to the local authorities for their support for this initiative to popularize the texts and reform the police.
For his part, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner and focal point for the Police reform in the Equateur province, Colonel Guylain Sangwa Nyembo, closed the workshop activities by warmly thanking the participants for their commitment. He stressed the importance of disseminating the knowledge acquired at all levels of the police hierarchy and civil society in order to avoid any misunderstanding and to promote clear and transparent information.
The workshop was facilitated by two keynote speakers, Mr. Fulgence Mawisa, DCAF National Project Officer, and Colonel Johnny Siadi Matonsi. They were preceded by the Head of PARP III-EU/Equateur Office, Job Muhindo Malimukono, who highlighted the achievements of the Police Reform Support Programme in Equateur Province.
Organized by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), in collaboration with other partners, this workshop was an important step in the reform process of the Congolese National Police. It raised awareness and informed a wide audience about the changes underway and the importance of constructive collaboration between the police and society to ensure the security and well-being of all.
In conclusion, this awareness-raising workshop in Mbandaka represented a key opportunity to strengthen trust and mutual understanding between the police and the population. By encouraging participation and fostering transparency, it helped to promote more effective and human rights-respecting practices within the law enforcement agencies.