The arrest of the commander of the Congolese National Police at the Kasindi-Lubiriha border post has sparked intense controversy within the local community. The officer in question was arrested and detained for the alleged murder of an armed bandit who attempted to escape from police custody on 9 November. The arrest was ordered by the military attorney general at the North Kivu military court, provoking mixed reactions among the population.
On the one hand, local civil society has expressed support for the police commander, considering him an actor committed to the security of the region. According to his supporters, his arrest constitutes a form of sabotage of the efforts made to restore peace and security in Kasindi-Lubiriha. They question the motivations behind this decision and claim that certain individuals could encourage banditry by preventing the action of law enforcement.
Denis Kalenga, spokesperson for local civil society, highlights the paradox of this arrest. How does a police officer, actively working to restore order and security in a sensitive area, end up behind bars? These questions cast doubt on the real intentions of those who orchestrated this arrest and raise concerns about the effectiveness of the justice actions carried out in the region.
Faced with this tense situation, civil society is considering protest actions, including ghost town days, to put pressure on the release of the police commander. This mobilization demonstrates the importance of the security issue in this border region, where cooperation between local authorities and the population is essential to maintain peace and order.
Beyond the specific case of this police officer, this affair highlights the security challenges faced by populations living near the borders. The need for coordinated, transparent action that respects the rights of each person is thus at the heart of the debate, highlighting the importance of trust between law enforcement and local communities to ensure a safe and stable environment for all.