Fatshimétrie, September 23, 2024.
The fight against radicalization and violent extremism in prisons has become a major concern for actors in the Congolese penal chain. In a commendable initiative aimed at strengthening the skills of justice professionals, a training session was recently organized in Bunia, in the Ituri province. This event, under the aegis of MONUSCO, aroused keen interest among the participants.
At the heart of the discussions was the need to raise awareness among justice actors on the issue of preventing radicalization in prisons. This is a major challenge to be met in order to guarantee the security of penitentiary institutions and prevent any risk of the spread of violent extremism. Participants thus had the opportunity to acquire essential knowledge to identify signs of radicalization and put in place effective preventive measures.
The training also enabled justice professionals to familiarize themselves with the different techniques of criminal analysis and intelligence gathering in prisons. These skills are crucial for conducting in-depth judicial investigations and preventing any act of terrorism or violent radicalization within prisons. The handling of geographic intelligence software for the location of individuals and the detection of criminal networks was at the heart of the lessons provided during this session.
In addition, the issue of deradicalization and disengagement of violent extremist individuals was also addressed. It is essential to set up effective reintegration programs to promote the social reintegration of radicalized prisoners and prevent any form of recidivism. Prison must not become a breeding ground for terrorism and violent extremism, and it is by strengthening the skills of justice professionals that we can counter this threat.
Training of trainers was also highlighted as an essential aspect of this capacity-building process. Indeed, it is essential to ensure the sustainability of the knowledge acquired and to promote a gradual transfer of skills to local partners. This will make it possible to sustainably strengthen the capacities of Congolese justice actors in the fight against radicalization and violent extremism.
In summary, the training organized in Bunia was an important step in preventing radicalization in prisons in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By strengthening the skills of justice professionals and implementing effective preventive strategies, it is possible to counter the threat of violent extremism and preserve the security of penitentiary institutions.This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the Congolese authorities and the international community to combat this scourge and to guarantee a safe environment conducive to the rehabilitation of detainees.