** Strengthening the capacity of the Congolese national police: towards sustainable security or increased repression? **
The recent strengthening of the operational means of the Congolese National Police (PNC) with the acquisition of 100 new riot vehicles and 600 electric shields raises crucial issues about the way in which the Congolese government is considering security and public order. If, on the surface, this initiative seems to translate a desire to improve the capacity to maintain order, it requires a more nuanced analysis to understand its implications on governance and society.
### Equipment: a response proportionate to security challenges?
The PNC, as Jacquemain Shabani, Vice-Prime Minister in charge of the Interior pointed out, faces considerable challenges, including the phenomenon of “Kuluna”, which disturbs tranquility in certain districts of Kinshasa. The introduction of new equipment could be perceived as a step towards a proactive response to these threats. However, it is essential to analyze whether these efforts are really proportionate to the realities of the field.
Compared, in other African countries, governments have often invested massively in riot equipment without real evaluation of the deep causes of disorders. For example, in 2019, Algeria was faced with massive demonstrations. The government has been criticized for strengthening the security forces rather than approaching the socio -political concerns of citizens. This has generated a climate of distrust and tensions, rather than real stability.
### Equipment analysis: multiple profits?
The 100 TRAVELLER Force anti-riot vehicles and electric polycarbonate shields mark a technological turning point in PNC equipment. Nevertheless, a question arises: is such modernization adapted to local realities? Reliability in the field, maintenance cost and the training of agents in the use of these new tools must be at the heart of concerns. Moreover, it is essential to note that the success of equipment often depends more on the training and the tactic used than on technology alone.
A study by the Public Policy Research Institute revealed that the effectiveness of the police is not only determined by their armament, but also by their ability to maintain relationships of trust with the community. The equipment must therefore be accompanied by training focused on dialogue and conflict prevention. The community police model, in place in certain regions of the world, could offer an inspiring framework for the PNC.
### A new approach to security
The ceremony for handing over the keys, marked by a motorized caravan, generates a craze, of course, but it should not hide a deeper reflection on the need for a new security approach. Is it simply a symptomatic response to disorders, or is it part of a global strategy to treat the causes of insecurity? Security policies must evolve towards integrated solutions, taking into account factors such as poverty, education and access to justice.
It is also necessary to explore the perception of citizens towards this new endowment. A recent investigation has revealed that, although public opinion is delighted to see government efforts to ensure security, a certain skepticism remains as to the effectiveness of these public funds. Residents express an increasing need for transparency on the use of resources allocated to safety.
### Towards a collective reflection
To conclude, strengthening the capacities of the PNC through the acquisition of new equipment is a unique opportunity to initiate a collective reflection on the security model in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rather than limiting themselves to repression, the authorities should consider a more holistic approach, integrating inclusiveness and community development.
The way this equipment will be used in the months and years to come will determine whether the Congolese government has chosen the way of sustainable peace or if it has simply embarked on the path of increased repression. Civil society, independent organizations and citizens must intervene, both to promote transparency and to guarantee that real security issues are approached exhaustively and responsible. In this quest, the opinion of each Congolese is essential to build together a future where security rhymes with humanity.