Training Congolese police officers in the fight against violent extremism
MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) police this week conducted training for Congolese police officers in Beni and Oicha on countering violent religious extremism. This training aimed in particular to teach officers and agents of the Congolese National Police investigative techniques enabling them to identify individuals likely to commit terrorist acts before they act.
According to Deputy Chief Commissioner François Kalonda, of the National Legion of Intervention (LENI), there has been a terrorism problem in Beni for around ten years. It is therefore essential to train local police officers to familiarize them with the practices, methods and tactics used by terrorists, which will enable them to identify, track and arrest them.
The training also addressed the issue of detecting signs of radicalization in individuals. Senior Commissioner Israel Mumbere Mutoto, commander of the Mbau police station, near Beni, stressed the importance of spotting suspicious behavior and warning signs of radicalization, such as social isolation and adherence to extremist ideology. These signals are essential to prevent acts of terrorism, because once an individual has committed the act, it is often too late and the consequences can be tragic.
One of the main weaknesses highlighted by Chief Commissioner Israel Mumbere Mutoto was the absence of material evidence during police interventions based on their intuition. This training therefore taught them the importance of collecting solid evidence to support their arrests and to allow judges to make informed decisions. It is essential to have serious clues and tangible evidence to ensure the success of investigations and legal proceedings.
In addition to detecting signs of radicalization, police officers have also learned to identify and follow the recruitment and training channels of potential terrorists. They have thus acquired tools and skills that will allow them to stop terrorists before they can commit violent acts.
Since 2021, the Beni region has been the scene of deadly attacks claimed by the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), which claims to be affiliated with the Islamic State group. These attacks caused the deaths of numerous civilians, amplifying security fears in the region.
By training Congolese police officers to combat violent extremism, MONUSCO hopes to strengthen the capacity of local law enforcement to prevent and combat terrorism, in order to guarantee security and stability in the Beni region.. The collaboration between MONUSCO and the Congolese National Police thus contributes to the fight against violent extremism and the protection of civilian populations.