Goma, September 23, 2024 – The issue of the security of residents of the Karisimbi commune in Goma, located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises legitimate concerns within local civil society. In a context marked by a resurgence of insecurity, the residents of this neighborhood are calling for a reinforced presence of law enforcement to ensure their protection.
This legitimate request comes in particular from Christian Kalamo, president of the civil society of the Karisimbi commune, who points out the lack of responsiveness of the authorities in the fight against crime. According to him, it is incomprehensible that the police are present in large numbers on the main roads and absent when it comes to intervening in the event of nighttime incidents in residential neighborhoods.
The figures speak for themselves: more than twenty houses were burglarized in a single night in the Ndosho neighborhood, highlighting the urgent need to act to guarantee the safety of residents. Faced with this alarming situation, the urgency of increasing the number of police stations and police personnel in insecure neighborhoods is being felt urgently.
Furthermore, the issue of seconding police officers to individuals also raises questions within civil society. Indeed, this practice harms the effectiveness of the personnel available in police stations and sub-police stations, thus weakening the capacity of law enforcement to intervene in the event of an emergency.
Faced with these worrying security challenges, it has become imperative for provincial authorities to take concrete measures to strengthen the police presence in neighborhoods plagued by insecurity. A reorganization of personnel, better coordination of patrols and strict regulation of the secondment of police officers are all avenues to explore to restore the confidence of citizens and ensure their daily safety.
In conclusion, the safety of citizens cannot be neglected, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to adequately respond to the legitimate concerns of the population. Now is the time for action, solidarity and cooperation to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all residents of Karisimbi commune and beyond.