On August 12, 2023, a field visit took place to the National Service pilot site in Kaniama Kasese, in the province of Haut-Lomami in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This visit was made by the Minister of State in charge of the Budget, Aimé Boji, and the Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi.
The objective of this visit was to realize the progress and the success of the program of supervision of young people in conflict with society, in particular those called “Kuluna” or urban bandits. The Minister of State in charge of the Budget was impressed by the results obtained by the National Service headed by General Kasongo Kabwik.
For his part, the Minister of Finance stressed the importance of this program in the transformation of Congolese youth. He insisted that the objective was not only to produce maize, but to set up an entire ecosystem to recover, train and offer future prospects to young people in difficulty. He also called for granting more resources to the National Service in order to be able to extend this experience to the whole country.
During their visit, the members of the government were able to see the concrete results of this program, in particular with the corn harvest which is coming to an end. Much of the production is already on its way to consumption centers, primarily for men and women in uniform, and their families.
In addition to corn production, the National Service also engages in other activities, such as the construction of buildings, schools and dormitories. The President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, has also donated new machines to support these activities.
The Ministers’ visit to the National Service pilot site shows the Congolese government’s commitment to transforming young people in difficulty, offering them opportunities and working towards their reintegration into society.
It also demonstrates the importance of developing this type of programs on a national scale to respond in a holistic way to the problems faced by Congolese youth.
In conclusion, the National Service in the Democratic Republic of Congo represents a concrete and effective response to supervise and transform young people in difficulty. The government must continue to support and strengthen this program so that it can benefit more young people across the country