Kalemie, an emblematic city in the Tanganyika province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was recently the scene of a significant event for public security. Indeed, the training site of the Congolese National Police, built in Kalemie in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Japanese cooperation, was officially inaugurated during a solemn ceremony.
The construction of this training facility is of capital importance in the current context of the DRC. Indeed, it is part of an ambitious community policing project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented by the IOM. This project aims to strengthen the capacities of the Congolese law enforcement and to bring the police closer to the population through a more preventive and community-based approach.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Commissioner General of the Congolese National Police, Benjamin Alonga Bani, stressed the importance of this tripartite partnership between JICA, IOM and the Congolese police. He highlighted the essential role of training community police officers, stressing that this approach will contribute to better security for citizens and to strengthening trust between the population and the police.
The Japanese Ambassador in Kinshasa, in his speech, highlighted the fruitful cooperation between his country and the DRC in the field of security. He recalled that this collaboration had existed for more than two decades and that it had already enabled the training of many police officers in Kinshasa. The construction of this new training school in Kalemie marks a new step in this fruitful partnership.
The Deputy Governor of Tanganyika Province, Isidore Kabwe Mwehu Longo, highlighted the importance of this new infrastructure for the development of the region. He expressed his desire to see this police training school play a key role in the professionalization of law enforcement and the strengthening of public security in Kalemie and its surroundings.
In addition to the training buildings, the site includes a set of modern facilities ranging from the administrative block to the refectory, dormitories, dispensary and kitchen, demonstrating the commitment of the partners to provide optimal conditions for the training of future community police officers.
In conclusion, this new training school for the Congolese National Police in Kalemie embodies the joint commitment of JICA, IOM and the Congolese police to strengthen security and proximity to citizens in a region often marked by security challenges. We hope that this initiative will contribute to improving security conditions and strengthening the bonds of trust between law enforcement and the local population.