Government Announces New Measures to Tackle Rising Insecurity in Kinshasa

Kinshasa March 22, 2026 - The government has unveiled a series of measures to address the resurgence of insecurity, crime, and robberies in the capital, Kinshasa, amid growing public concern. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani during the 83rd Council of Ministers meeting. He confirmed that a high-level security meeting had been held on March 14, bringing together civilian, police, and military authorities to coordinate a response. Key decisions include the intensification of arrests targeting criminal networks, particularly those involved in staged kidnappings, and the continuation of Operation “Ndobo”, which involves joint PNC-FARDC patrols to combat the Kuluna phenomenon. Authorities also plan to convene inter-institutional meetings to address crimes involving men in uniform, as well as tighten oversight in the telecommunications sector, including a potential ban on pre-registered SIM cards and the re-identification of subscribers. Despite ongoing operations, Kinshasa continues to face a rise in kidnappings and nighttime attacks, with many residents reporting little improvement in daily security. President Félix Tshisekedi has acknowledged public concern, warning that these crimes are fueling a climate of fear, undermining state authority, and eroding public trust in security institutions. He has instructed security services to intensify operations to dismantle criminal networks responsible for kidnappings and armed robberies.