Identification Operation Launched for Military and Police Personnel in Kisenso

An operation to identify military and police personnel officially began on Friday, January 30, in the Kisenso district of Kinshasa, aimed at tightening control over law enforcement officers and armed forces members residing in the area. The initiative, launched by Kisenso Mayor Godé Athswel, follows a surge in insecurity linked to unidentified men in uniform in several neighborhoods of the capital. These individuals are accused of extortion, home invasions, and other acts of violence. Mayor Athswel said the operation is intended to protect residents and neutralize criminals who have infiltrated the security services. “We took the precaution of identifying all soldiers in the Kisenso district, whether armed or not, and recording their weapon serial numbers for rigorous verification, in order to guarantee the safety of our population,” he stated. Objective: Restoring Public Trust Although the security situation in Kisenso is described as relatively calm, authorities acknowledge that in other parts of Kinshasa, deserters from military training are reportedly involved in looting and violence. The identification campaign is therefore seen as a key step toward restoring trust between the population and the security forces.