The news in the Democratic Republic of Congo is marked by the imminent notification of the new command of the Congolese National Police (PNC). Nearly three months after their appointment by President Félix Tshisekedi, the new leaders of the PNC will finally take office. The announcement was made by Peter Kazadi, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, during a weekly briefing.
According to Peter Kazadi, this new team will be responsible for reducing police harassment and traffic jams, particularly in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital. He also calls for the cooperation of the population to denounce the reprehensible behavior of certain police officers.
Since taking office, Peter Kazadi says he has applied a zero-tolerance policy towards police officers who behave inappropriately. Trials have already been initiated against some police officers and convictions have been pronounced. The Deputy Prime Minister stresses that the police must be role models and that those who bother the population will be arrested.
This reshuffle within the PNC was carried out by President Tshisekedi, who appointed a new command in order to improve the functioning of the Congolese police. Benjamin Alongaboni has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Police, succeeding Dieudonné Amuli Bahigwa.
While Benjamin Alongaboni has already been notified, deputies and other police officials have yet to receive their official notification. Divisional commissioner Sylvano Kasongo will be replaced by deputy divisional commissioner Jean-Bosco Galenga Makongo as number one for the city of Kinshasa.
This change of command within the PNC is an important step in the Congolese government’s efforts to improve security and respect for citizens’ rights. Expectations are high as to the ability of the new team to reduce police harassment and establish a climate of trust with the population.
In conclusion, the imminent arrival of the new Congolese National Police command represents hope for better security management and a reduction in police harassment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It remains to be seen how this team will meet the expectations of the population and put in place concrete measures to improve the situation