The provincial government of North Kivu and MONUSCO reaffirmed on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, in Beni, their commitment to strengthen cooperation in civilian protection. The announcement followed a meeting between Mamouna Ouedraogo, Inspector General and Chief of MONUSCO Police (UNPOL), and the provincial governor, General Evariste Kakule Somo.
During their hour-long discussion, both parties focused on cooperation between MONUSCO Police and the Congolese National Police (PNC). Mamouna Ouedraogo stressed that this partnership will be reinforced in areas of North Kivu facing security threats, with the aim of better protecting civilians and enhancing the operational capacity of local police forces.
UNPOL’s support to public security
Speaking to the press, Mamouna Ouedraogo said:
“We discussed mainly the collaboration between MONUSCO and the provincial authorities, particularly the cooperation between the Mission’s police and the Congolese National Police. The goal is to strengthen our existing partnership. We work closely with the police in this zone under security threat, because civilian security is not limited to defense alone. Residents of stabilized areas need policing services. In this regard, we support the national police with training, supplies, investigative equipment, and the rehabilitation and construction of infrastructures to modernize and professionalize its services and enable it to fulfill its missions effectively.”
UNPOL’s mandate within MONUSCO focuses on civilian protection, support to PNC reform, and strengthening the rule of law through training and operational support.
Each year, hundreds of Congolese police officers are trained by UNPOL in various fields, including:
- public order management,
- professional intervention techniques,
- (cyber)crime prevention,
- combating sexual violence,
- traffic management,
- crime scene management,
- community policing,
- mining police,
- police ethics and criminal data management.
This is Mamouna Ouedraogo’s first visit to North Kivu since assuming office on 25 November 2025. She will remain in Beni until Friday, 20 February. Prior to this, she conducted a mission to Bunia, Ituri, from 16 to 18 February.
Jean-Tobie Okala
