Goma, 5 October 2012 – Two hundred and ninety eight trainees from different localities of the Nord Kivu province, including 14 women, completed a six-month training program on 2 October.

Organized as part of the Congolese national police force (PNC) reform initiative, the training took place in the Mugunga training centre in Goma the capital-city of the Nord Kivu province. This session constitutes a long-term basic training for these police officers who belong to armed groups integrated into the PNC following the 2009 Peace agreements.

Several administrative and police authorities took part or were represented at this ceremony, notably, the Vice-Governor of Nord Kivu, Feller Lutayichirwa Mulwahale, and the Provincial Minister of Interior and Security. The PNC General Commissioner and the Police Commissioner for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), as well as the Regional Coordinator of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) were all three represented.

In his speech, the Vice-Governor commended DRC partners who are committed to "providing his jurisdiction with professional police officers, trained at a time when this part of the country seriously needs actors who are well-versed in peacekeeping and stabilization". He further called on all trainees to "uphold the law and discipline which is the mother of any army".

The training focused essentially on techniques for maintaining and restoring public order, the concept of human rights, first aid and criminal law.

The construction of the Mugunga training center cost three million US dollars which were donated by the Peacebuilding Fund and the Canadian government. Construction works were launched in July 2011 by UNOPS and were completed in March 2012.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO