**Fatshimetrie: Updating the programming law for police reform in the DR Congo**
The recent workshop to update the programming law for police reform in the DR Congo, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani, highlighted the persistent challenges facing the process of modernizing the Congolese National Police (PNC). Despite the progress made since the establishment of a long-term strategic framework in 2005, limited funding remains the main obstacle to the full implementation of reforms.
In his opening speech, Jacquemain Shabani stressed the government’s commitment to prioritizing police reform, while deploring the lack of financial resources necessary for its advancement. The results of the five-year action plan 2020-2024 highlighted the underfunding of the PNC reform, thus hampering the achievement of the objectives set. However, the announcement of a specific programming law by the current government raises hopes for a new impetus in this crucial process.
The workshop, which was held over two days, aimed to update the draft programming law drawn up in 2022, but which has remained pending since then. The participants, experts from the Center for Security and Police Reform (CSRP) and the PNC, worked together to amend the existing draft, taking into account the new challenges and needs of the PNC, as well as current government priorities. This approach aims to enrich the legislative text in a relevant and consensual manner, in order to present it to the executive for adoption, to the National Assembly for voting, and finally to the President of the Republic for promulgation.
The Commissioner General of the PNC, Alonga Boni, welcomed the government’s involvement in the reform of the PNC, while highlighting the major challenges encountered, including the lack of financial and material resources essential for the smooth running of the projects planned in the national strategic development plan. He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between stakeholders to overcome these obstacles and ensure the full implementation of the police reform.
In conclusion, the updating of the programming law for the reform of the police in the DR Congo represents a key milestone in the process of modernizing the PNC. It is imperative that government authorities and stakeholders join forces to ensure the promulgation and effective implementation of this law, in order to ensure the security and well-being of the entire Congolese population.