### Kalemie: Diving in a galloping insecurity
The city of Kalemie, located in the province of Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been in the heart of a security storm for a few weeks. Urban banditry, formerly under control, is reborn from its ashes, and the population now lives in the constant fear of murders and armed robbery. According to Mayor David Mukeba Mbombo, the situation would be exacerbated by the influx of criminals from the escape of the central prison and soldiers fleeing the front in the Kivu. A dark painting that raises several questions.
#### The return of the escapes: a recurring threat
The recent events highlight a persistent challenge: the penitentiary system in the DRC, already undermined by the lack of resources and qualified personnel. The last escape from Kalemie central prison not only released notorious criminals, but also caused a crisis of confidence among citizens. Indeed, according to statistics from the Statistics of the Democratic Republic of Congo, around 70% of escaped prisoners repeat in less than two years, thus feeding a cycle of violence which seems endless.
#### Flee the front: Fun soldiers and their impact on security
At the same time, the phenomenon of military fleeing to Kalemie highlights an additional dimension of insecurity. These deserters, often disillusioned and with military training, constitute a much more effective threat than ordinary criminals. At the national level, the data reveal that desertion in the Congolese army has reached heights, especially in the regions affected by the fighting. This raises a crucial question: how can the DRC hope to stabilize a region when soldiers, supposed to protect the population, choose to join banditry?
#### The role of local powers: an essential response
Faced with this crisis, the attitude of the local authorities, like that of the mayor, is both reassuring and challenging. Their desire to combat insecurity is laudable; However, the words of David Mukeba Mbombo, who evokes a temporary mastery of crime, must be put into perspective with the reality on the ground. According to a report from the Security Research Institute in Central Africa, the interventions of the police must be reinforced by preventive actions, in particular the development of socio-economic programs for young people, in order to offer them alternatives to crime.
#### Facing fear: the duty of citizen responsibility
The mayor of Kalemie legitimately calls on the population to report suspicious activities. However, a call for vigilance can also become a call for mistrust and stigma. Everyone’s responsibility must go beyond the alert; It is also a question of not giving in to fear that pushes to isolation and social fragmentation. In similar contexts, community initiatives have proven their effectiveness to restore confidence between citizens and authorities through collaborative security programs.
#### Conclusion: Towards a lasting solution?
The situation in Kalemie illustrates a microcosm of challenges that affect many cities in the DRC. For security to become a reality and not a simple promise, it is imperative to combine the efforts of the authorities, NGOs, communities and citizens. This implies investing in the rehabilitation of the penitentiary system, support for the police, and the creation of socio-economic alternatives.
In short, insecurity in Kalemie is at the crossroads. The current situation could be the starting point for a deep reflection on governance, security, and the means to ensure a better future for citizens. If the authorities move from the reaction to prevention, Kalemie may well become an emblematic city of the revitalization of the DRC in the face of crime. The way is strewn with pitfalls, but hope for a change is the first step towards a more resilient community.