The Police component of MONUSCO, in partnership with the Congolese National Police (PNC), has undertaken the rehabilitation of the holding cells of the Mobile Intervention Police Unit of West Kisangani in the town’s Tshopo neighborhood.

The rehabilitation is undertaken under the quick impact projects program and responds to major aspects of MONUSCO’s mandate, namely civilian protection and capacity building for the Congolese National Police. Civilian protection includes ensuring the security of citizens, and when the latter are harmed or are victims of some abuse, the State must ensure they have full and equal access to the administration of justice.

The justice process begins at the level of police with the observation of offences, the gathering of evidence, the detention of suspected offenders and their presentation to the prosecutor so that they can be held to account in accordance with the law. The inadequate number of detention facilities and the poor conditions therein has meant that means that people go into detention for a while and, with some complicity from inside, are found back on the streets, often mocking their victims and the judicial authorities. Such situations are often interpreted by the average person as police complicity with criminals.

MONUSCO, therefore, has initiated this 29 000 USD rehabilitation project to contribute to combating impunity, improving detention conditions and the working conditions of the Congolese police.

Expected to be completed within 3 months, the project involves the rehabilitation of two rooms used as detention cells and two other rooms to be used as offices, and the refurbishment of the sanitation